Michael Owen on Salah’s comments: “Bite your lip”

Liverpool FC legend Michael Owen has advised the Premier League holders’ out-of-favour Egyptian star Mohamed Salah to bite his lips.

The former England international was reacting to an explosive interview the African footballer granted after Liverpool FC’s three-all draw against Leeds United on Saturday.

The Pharaohs’ forward was benched for a third straight game, a development he did not take lightly. Salah said he felt he was being thrown under the bus.

Writing on his official social media pages, Owen said the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)-bound striker’s utterances was wrong.

Oh @mosalah 🫣 I can imagine how you feel. You’ve carried this team for a long time and won everything there is to win. But this is a team game and you simply can’t publicly say what you’ve said. You’re going to afcon in a week. Surely you bite your lip, enjoy representing your…

— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) December 7, 2025

“Oh @mosalah I can imagine how you feel. You’ve carried this team for a long time and won everything there is to win. But this is a team game and you simply can’t publicly say what you’ve said. You’re going to AFCON in a week. Surely you bite your lip, enjoy representing your country and see how the land lies when you get back?” the ex-Real Madrid forward wrote.

After the Leeds game, Salah delivered a series of extraordinary remarks, published by Sky Sports, openly questioning his treatment and suggesting a complete breakdown in trust.

“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think. (I am) very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over the years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel.”

“Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.”

The 33-year-old Egyptian has become a legendary figure at Anfield over the past eight years, scoring 250 goals in all competitions and winning two Premier League titles.

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