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  Joey Lynch is a Melbourne-based sports journalist and AYA cancer advocate. Primarily working on football, he has covered the Socceroos, Matildas and A-Leagues for ESPN for over a decade.

Dec 9, 2025, 08:02 PM ET

Australia’s game against the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup won’t be the biggest game that the Socceroos have ever played at the global footballing showpiece.

In all honesty, between round-of-16 appearances against eventual champions Italy and Argentina, the drought-breaking win over Japan in 2006, the knockout-stage-securing win over Croatia in that same tournament, or group-stage games against defending champions such as France and Spain, it would struggle to break into the top 10. But when Tony Popovic’s side run out to face the Americans in Seattle on June 19, it might just be one of the most hyped games that the Socceroos have ever played.

Drawn into Group D at next year’s tournament alongside the co-hosts, as well as Paraguay and a European qualifier to be drawn from one of Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, or Romania, Australia now, for the most part, knows what they’ll need to secure back-to-back appearances in the World Cup knockout stages. Supporters, meanwhile, can start to plan their journey alongside the Socceroos throughout the group and possibly beyond, trying to figure out how they’ll source tickets amongst high demand and significant prices, but also grapple with accommodation costs that a quick perusal of booking sites would suggest will run them back more than a grand for just a couple of nights.

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Both cohorts also now know that their journey will begin on the West Coast of North America, with the Socceroos’ opening game against the European qualifier to take place in Vancouver, followed by the Seattle clash against the Americans and then a meeting with Paraguay in Santa Clara. Travel and logistics-wise, this should prove relatively simple for the team and travelling supporters alike, while the timezone also ensures favourable broadcast times for those watching at home. It also means that, for the most part, the sweltering heat of the North American summer will be dodged.

And while the progression of the eight best third-placed sides across a record 12 groups at the expanded 48-team World Cup somewhat reduces the jeopardy compared to previous 32-team tournaments, this also means that Popovic’s side’s knockout destiny likely rests upon their form in the Pacific Northwest.

Which brings us back to the United States. While Mauricio Pochettino’s side was placed in Pot 1 of the World Cup draw by virtue of their status as co-hosts (with Mexico in Group A and Canada in Group B afforded similar privileges), the USMNT’s FIFA ranking of 14 wasn’t too far off earning that right — only bettered in Pot 2 by Croatia, Morocco, and Colombia. In recent months, the side’s form, which had been stuttering and raising a few alarm bells, has taken a turn under their Argentine coach: unbeaten in five with wins over Japan, Uruguay, Paraguay and, back in September, Australia. And highlighted by the likes of Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic, they field top-line talent playing at some of the best clubs in the world.

When you add the luxury of hosting the tournament, which, Qatar aside, generally correlates with improved performances, the Americans are the favourites to top Group D and should hold hopes of staging a deep run into the competition. Indeed, if they don’t achieve the former, it will have to be considered a letdown on their part. Even if, given how difficult Australia and Paraguay (who conceded just 10 goals across 18 South American qualifiers) have proven to be in competitive games, to say nothing of Türkiye potentially joining, topping the group will perhaps not be as comfortable as some of the more boisterous sections of their professional commentariat, one of whom described Australia as a “lay-up” suggest.

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Should USMNT be happy with their World Cup draw?

The “Futbol Americas” crew react to USMNT’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group draw.

From an Australian perspective, this means that if they can take something from that game in Seattle, a point or even a win, they’ll go a long way towards the knockouts — being able to take points off the strongest team in your group, assuming that they go ahead and do the job against your other rivals, carries obvious benefits.

Further, heavy lies the crown of favoritism and expectation, and with the weight of anticipation on the Americans’ shoulders from an expectant home crowd, it’s very easy to envisage the game being played out in a manner that suits the Socceroos’ strengths and tests their opponents with something they’ve struggled with: the hosts taking the onus of possession as they seek to break down an Australian outfit comfortable in sitting back in a low block, who can then look to pick their moments and break through in transition. This feeling may only heighten if the United States are frustrated by the stout Paraguayans in their opening game.

Their recent fixtures may have exposed the perils of regression to the mean and heightened scrutiny of the side’s urgent need to improve in possession, but if the Socceroos can be clinical — as they did when they vastly outperformed their expected goals (xG) in World Cup qualifying and secured wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia — this approach can prove effective. It wouldn’t be pretty — by any stretch — nor probably fun to watch. But if it gets wins at a World Cup, Popovic, who has already engineered one unfancied run when he took an unheralded Western Sydney Wanderers to a 2014 Asian Champions League crown, wouldn’t mind too much.

Yet the footballing aspects of the game against the United States are only part of the picture of why it will likely be so big. For one, this will be the first time that Australia has played a host nation since 1974, when a team largely comprised of semiprofessionals captained by the legendary Johnny Warren were grouped with West Germany. This means that the spotlight will be well and truly on Lumen Field when kick-off arrives, and that the stands and build-up will be just that bit more circus-like than otherwise.

While there were inevitably plenty of hot takes about the quality of Australian sides that took on Germany, Brazil, and Spain before they played in previous tournaments, these weren’t written in English and easily consumed Down Under. Nor were they as readily available as they will be in 2026, where the ability to spew outrage and polarisation is not only available to anyone with an internet connection but boosted by algorithms and monetisation programs that ensure that even the most Johnny No-Mates or Becky Bad-Opinions amongst us, Aussie or American, can be seen by tens of thousands if they hit the timeline just right.

Combine this with more of the “lay-up”-esque analysis likely to ramp up as kick-off approaches and the hyper-online and prickly habits of Aussie footballing fans (observe their reaction to the late Grant Wahl’s suggestion that the Socceroos’ might not have been very good in 2018), Australian sporting fans (just look at Oscar Piastri’s online following), and there’s going to be a lot of kindling for the fire. Common sense? Goodwill? Touching grass? The actual human interaction being fun and friendly? Not on my internet!

On- and off-the-field, then, the Socceroos being drawn against the United States promises to be big, potentially defining both of their World Cup campaigns. Toxic, too. But big. And fun.

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When VAR was first used in the Premier League, lots of soft penalties were awarded.

Liverpool fans will remember the spot-kick they conceded at Brighton when Robertson tapped the bottom of Danny Welbeck’s boot, and the striker went to ground theatrically. The VAR intervened and gave the penalty even though contact was slight.

This prompted a change in approach, to what the Premier League deemed “contact with consequence”. It meant the VAR should take into account whether the touch, kick or pull was matched by the way a player goes to ground.

It is is why we started to hear references to glancing contact in a tackle or, when it comes to a shirt pull, a fleeting hold.

Holding the shirt is not a foul in itself, it must have impact on an opponent. If there’s a little tug, and the striker falls like he’s been pulled right down, he should not be rewarded with a penalty.

We saw this earlier in the season when Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade threw his arms up when a Bournemouth defender held his shirt. It could have been a penalty, but the way the Germany international went down counted against him, because it gave the impression of an unnatural fall compared to the extent of the shirt pull.

We’ve seen the similar kind of thing with handball, both for penalties and when a goal is scored, between the Premier League and in Europe.

At the start of the season, I specifically asked Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb about this.

He said: “If I get asked about it, and I do speak to my counterparts all the time, I am quick to point out that we are here to apply the Laws of the Game. Of course, as we have to do.

“But within the laws, the game is an element of interpretation, and with handball what is deemed unjustifiable, or unnatural is a judgement. It’s interpretation.

“We see handball penalised in other places somewhat differently. I think that’s out of a drive for consistency, particularly if you look at Uefa competitions, where you’ve got a lot of different footballing cultures coming together.

“So officials from all over the continent, teams all over the continent. Penalising those situations when the arm is away from the body more frequently gives that consistency.

“I would never say we’re right, and they’re wrong or vice versa. It’s just all about trying to try to officiate the game in a way that best serves the expectations of the game where you’re working.

“In terms of the debate around handball, here it’s reducing significantly. That could only be because we’re doing it in a way that the majority of people seem to think is the way that they would expect it to be done here.

“I respect the way it’s done elsewhere, of course, but for us here, it seems to work well.”

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has backed Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, rejecting narratives suggesting they should be phased out of the ODI setup. He insisted the duo remains vital to Indiaâ€s plans and should continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup, according to a report published on Monday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Itâ€s a fact that Virat and Rohit are the backbone of the Indian batting line-up, and the way they have played in the recent ODI series, it can confidently be said that they can play until the 2027 World Cup,†Afridi said.

Fans travel thousands of kilometres to watch Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma play

Afridi added that both should feature primarily in high-profile matches. “You need to preserve both these stars, and when India is playing against a weaker team, they can try some new players and rest Virat and Rohit,†he said.The former all-rounder also criticised Indiaâ€s head coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he shared frosty on-field moments during their playing careers. “The way Gautam started his stint, it looked like he thought that what he thinks and says is right, but after some time, it was proved that you are not always right.â€Afridi also expressed joy over Rohit surpassing his ODI six-hitting record. “Records are meant to be broken, and this too is now bettered. I am happy that a player whom I have always liked has broken this record.â€â€œMy record of fastest century stood for nearly 18 years, but it was finally broken, so records are set by one player and another player comes and breaks it. This is cricket.â€Rohit went past Afridiâ€s tally of 351 ODI sixes during Indiaâ€s second ODI against South Africa in Raipur and now stands at 355 from 279 games. Reflecting on his association with Rohit during the 2008 IPL season, Afridi recalled: “I played alongside Rohit for the Deccan Chargers in my only Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2008, and at that time, I liked him.“During practice sessions of the Charges, I watched him bat, and his class impressed me. I knew that one day Rohit would play for India, and he has proved himself as a classy batter,†he said.

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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are caught in a “really dangerous circle” with injuries – but denied they are a result of overtraining.

Arsenal have suffered injuries to a number of key players throughout the season and will be without midfielder Declan Rice, defender William Saliba and forward Leandro Trossard for the match against Club Brugge in the league phase of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Trossard, who scored in the loss to Aston Villa at the weekend, only just returned from injury but was brought off before the end of the game despite only being introduced as a second-half substitute.

Arsenal are still without forward Kai Havertz and defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera, while striker Viktor Gyokeres is just returning from injury.

The Gunners have also made a change to their Champions League squad because of injury, with Gabriel Jesus, who has been out since January after cruciate ligament surgery, replacing 15-year-old Max Dowman – who picked up his injury playing for Arsenal Under-21s in a friendly against Manchester United on Saturday.

But when asked if overtraining was the cause of the problems, Arteta rejected the idea.

“No, because we don’t train.” Arteta said referring to the short turnaround between games at this point in the season before saying his side trained for “20 minutes” on Tuesday.

“We don’t have time to train. So training is not there but obviously the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more [as] a consequence. It’s a really dangerous circle that one.”

Arsenal also had to deal with long-term injuries to Havertz and Bukayo Saka last season, while centre-back Gabriel missed an important couple of months at the end of the last campaign.

And Arteta said that alongside the Arsenal medical team he was always looking at the reasons for the injuries they suffer.

“Some of the players have played over 150 games in two seasons so it starts to get overloaded. You start to ask them again and again and again to do that [and] at some point they will break down,” he said.

“It’s something that we are constantly looking at. We have played a lot of games with a lot of players missing that puts a lot of stress and then more injuries but we are on it.

“I’m really happy what we’re doing in terms of the medical stuff and everything that we are trying to bring together, but sometimes as well we need some things to go on our side.”

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“The Fifa president does not have the authority to unilaterally dictate the organisation’s mission, strategic direction, policies and values.”

BBC Sport has contacted football’s world governing body for comment.

Infantino and Trump stood side by side during the glittering ceremony at the Kennedy Center for next year’s tournament, which takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June-19 July.

As well as a large golden trophy, Trump received a medal and certificate from Infantino, who said “this is what we want from a leader” and “you can always count, Mr President, on my support” during a speech that followed a video before the presentation.

In October, the 55-year-old posted on Instagram saying Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize.

During an interview in November at the American Business Forum in Miami, Infantino also added: “We should all support what [Trump] is doing [in the US] because I think it’s looking pretty good.”

FairSquare also alleged a video post by Infantino on Instagram in January – following his invite to Trump’s inauguration – “indicates support for President Trump’s political agenda”.

Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare’s programme director, added: “This complaint is about a lot more than Infantino’s support for President Donald Trump’s political agenda.

“More broadly this is about how Fifa’s absurd governance structure has allowed Gianni Infantino to openly flout the organisation’s rules and act in ways that are both dangerous and directly contrary to the interests of the world’s most popular sport.”

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Laura Woods’ return to our screens has now been confirmed, following her collapse live on TV.

The presenter was hosting ITV’s coverage of the friendly between England and Ghana during the women’s international break at the start of December when the incident happened.

She was appearing alongside pundits Ian Wright and Anita Asante during the pre-match build-up, when she dropped towards the floor but was caught by her colleagues.

All of us at talkSPORT send our best wishes to Laura Woods.Get well soon, Woodsy. @laura_woodsy pic.twitter.com/jt2Z2oBdf3December 2, 2025

“Gosh that was a bit weird,” Woods later said via her own Instagram account. “Sorry to worry everyone, im ok, the wonderful paramedics at Saints have said its probably a virus, just need a bit of rest & hydration.

“I’m really embarrassed that happened on tv, but a big thank you to my colleagues at ITV who have really looked after me tonight.

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“And to Wright and Neets for catching me and sorry again.”

Following a week of recovery, however, the national favourite is now set to return to screens, resuming presenting duties with TNT Sports’ broadcast of Real Madrid against Manchester City.

She’ll be joined by a star-studded line-up of Steven Gerrard, Joleon Lescott and Steve McManaman for the Madrid-based match, with Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist on commentary.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been given the green light to conclude their first transfer of the January window.

All is not well with the Lilywhites under Thomas Frank, the club currently sitting in 11th place in the Premier League, and subject to an equally mixed record in Europe.

The head coach has been accused this season of playing too defensively, with the team looking slightly stale at times, not helped by an extensive injury list.

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That appears to be under consideration for Spurs attacker Mathys Tel, who is being looked at by Italian side Roma, according to Corriere della Sera, via Sport Witness.

Tel has played sparingly under Frank, restricted to just three Premier League starts and 10 appearances overall, during which time he’s scored two goals.

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That is despite attackers like Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke all being out of action, suggesting Tel is not currently high in Frank’s plans.

Based on the report, if Roma cannot land their main target, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee, then boss Gian Piero Gasperini has given the green light to go for Tel.

It was reported last month that Tel is unhappy at Spurs, and as such, could be allowed to leave in January on loan, which would likely be the structure of this proposed Roma move.

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Mathys Tel may be open to a move if it would mean more playing time (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, this would be a good move for Tel, who at 20 years old needs to be playing regular minutes to aid his development.

That being said, Tel is in and around the starting XI, so with the club’s injury luck of late, they may fear letting a player go without an adequate replacement.

On top of that, if Spurs start agreeing to players departing before bringing reinforcements in, fans may quite reasonably start asking the powers that be what the plan is for this season.

Tel is valued at €30m, according to Transfermarkt. Spurs next face Slavia Prague when Champions League action returns this week.

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AI-generated photo of a revolver NEW DELHI: Taking cognisance of a recent viral video on social media showing an international-level athlete from the state allegedly loading bullets into a licensed revolver, the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA) on Tuesday issued an advisory to all its affiliated associations and units to take strict disciplinary action against any coach or player involved in activities that violate the law or the sports code of conduct. HOA president Capt Jasvinder Meenu Beniwal and secretary general and state cabinet minister Krishan Lal Panwar wrote a letter to its member district Olympic associations, directing them “to follow a zero-tolerance policy in all such future cases and take immediate action, including suspension, enquiry, and informing the concerned authorities whenever requiredâ€.

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The HOA reacted after it received complaints from state-based sportspersons and sports activist Rajnarayan Panghal, regarding “certain recent incidents involving athletes and coaches, where unacceptable activities such as handling or displaying weapons, creating or sharing such videos on social media, and other actions that violate the law and sports discipline has been reportedâ€. “Itâ€s important to address such matters because they directly affect the image of sports and the dignity of athletes. Any behaviour that goes against law or discipline weakens the trust of society in sports. For the healthy growth of our young players and for maintaining a positive sports environment, strict action and timely guidance are essential,†the HOA wrote. “In view of the interest of sports, the HOA hereby issue an advisory to all players and coaches stating that any act involving weapons, unlawful activity, violence, or misuse of social media will not be tolerated. Ensure mandatory awareness sessions for all players and coaches at least once a year on legal responsibilities and proper social media behaviour,†it added.

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Joga Bonito is EA Sports FC 26’s latest program, celebrating the unique flair of street soccer. The exclusive player items available as part of the promotion come with 5-Star Skills and brand-new PlayStyles to represent the cunning and flashy nature of street soccer.

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Vitinha and Aitana Bonmatí lead the squad, gaining substantial stat upgrades on top of a 5-Star rating for Skills and new PlayStyles. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder’s card trumps all of his previous releases, among them a Team of the Week item, with 91 OVR. Pace is the most improved attribute for the Portuguese star, growing by 13 points compared to the standard card.

Bonmatí’s gains are more modest in comparison to Vitinha. The Barcelona player added one point to Pace, Passing and Physical, respectively, which wasn’t enough to upgrade her 91 OVR with her first limited item of the season. Access to new PlayStyles, however, still provides a lot of value over her standard version.

Cole Palmer and Frenkie de Jong jointly stand on the second step of the podium with 89 OVR, while four players crowd the third step: Michael Olise, Kenan Yildiz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Chloe Kelly received items with 88 OVR.

Here is the full line-up for EA Sports FC 26 Joga Bonito:

• Vitinha, Paris Saint-Germain: 91 OVR

• Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona: 91 OVR

• Cole Palmer, Chelsea: 89 OVR

• Frenkie De Jong, Barcelona. 89 OVR

• Michael Olise, Bayern Munich: 88 OVR

• Kenan Yildiz, Juventus: 88 OVR

• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris Saint-Germain: 88 OVR

• Chloe Kelly, Arsenal: 88 OVR

• Matheus Cunha, Manchester United: 87 OVR

• Murillo, Nottingham Forest: 87 OVR

• David Alaba, Real Madrid: 87 OVR

• João Cancelo, Al Hilal: 87 OVR

• Éderson, Fenerbahce: 87 OVR

• Rayan Cherki, Manchester City: 87 OVR

• Ashley Sanchez, North Carolina Courage: 87 OVR

• Isco, Real Betis: 86 OVR

• Sergiño Dest, PSV Eindhoven: 86 OVR

• Nicole Anyomi, Eintracht Frankfurt: 86 OVR

• Maëlle Garbino, Paris FC: 86 OVR

• Alexsandro, LOSC Lille: 86 OVR

• Endrick, Real Madrid: 86 OVR

• Jennifer Echegini, Paris Saint-Germain: 86 OVR

• Jérémy Doku, Manchester City: 86 OVR

• Lisa Baum, RB Leipzig: 85 OVR

• Johan Mojica, RCD Mallorca: 85 OVR

• Tanguy Ndombele, OGC Nice: 85 OVR

• Bryan Zaragoza, Celta Vigo: 85 OVR

• Arthur Atta, Udinese: 85 OVR

• Geovany Quenda, Sporting CP: 85 OVR

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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has branded Mohamed Salah‘s outburst as “disgraceful” and “choreographed” in a scathing attack on the Liverpool star.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Salah vented his frustrations at having been left on the bench for the duration of Liverpool’s clash at Elland Road. A match that Liverpool eventually drew 3-3 after a late Leeds equaliser. Salah singled out Carragher in the interview saying “tomorrow, [former player and now pundit Jamie] Carragher is going to criticize me but that’s fine.”

On Tuesday, Liverpool confirmed that Salah was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday.

– Mohamed Salah: How did Liverpool get here? How does he compare to last season?
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Carragher, who made 737 appearances for Liverpool in a 17-year senior career, didn’t hold back when asked about the current situation on Sky Sports’ ‘Monday Night Football’.

“I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game. Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I do not think it was,” Carragher said.

“I think whenever Salah stops in the mix zone, which he’s done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it’s choreographed between him and his agent to cause maximum damage and to strengthen his own position.”

Carragher, who made also defended his previous criticism of Salah, took particular issue over one remark.

“The one line that stands out for me is ‘thrown under the bus.’ He’s thrown the club under the bus twice in the last 12 months. With the manager right now, he should be doing as much as he can to help the club get out of the worst run they’ve had since the 1950s and he hasn’t done that.

“When we are talking about throwing people under the bus, he’s thrown every Liverpool right-back under the bus for the 8 years. Can you imagine playing behind him for eight years? But we accept it because he’s a superstar and he’s scored 250 goals and he’s given me as a Liverpool supporter some of the greatest nights of my life.”

In a further dig, Carragher also questioned Salah over his record with Egypt.

“You weren’t a big star before you came to Liverpool, you haven’t really won much for Egypt, no matter how big you are, you need help from your teammates, your manager and fans, it’s important that he remembers that,” Carragher said. “When he talks after Leeds, it’s all about me, me, me.”

Salah, who has just four goals in 13 Premier League appearances this season, trained with the first team at the AXA Training Centre on Monday morning however the club made the decision to leave him out of the travelling party for Tuesday night’s match at the San Siro against Inter.

Sources told ESPN the decision was taken in consultation with Slot and with the manager’s full support.

Everything Jamie Carragher said in eight-minute Mohamed Salah rant

“I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game. Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I don’t think it was.

“I think whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he’s done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it’s choreographed, with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position. He did that 12 months ago — and I called him out about it — and he played on the heartstrings of Liverpool supporters.

“Liverpool were on top of the league; he’d scored the winning goal at Southampton. That was the time to come out and put pressure on the Liverpool ownership, so for the rest of the season you have banners in the crowd — ‘Give Mo his dough.’

“He’s chose this weekend to do this now and he’s waited, I think, for a bad result with Liverpool — concede a last-minute goal… Everyone involved with the club feels like they’re in the gutter at the moment, and he’s chose that time to go for the manager, and maybe try and get him sacked. That’s the way I felt about it.

“The one line that stands out for me is ‘thrown under the bus.’ He’s tried to throw the club under the bus twice in the last 12 months with the situations that I’ve just mentioned.

“Going after the owners — these are owners who have been paying him £100ks for six years — and complained a year ago that they hadn’t given him a contract at the age of 32. He is entitled to do that.

“With the manager right now, he should be doing as much as he can to help the club get out of the worst run they’ve had since the 1950s and he hasn’t done that.

“When I’ve thought about it over the weekend, and I’ve put myself in Salah’s position or how I was as a player — I’m not Mo Salah.

“Mo Salah is a world-renowned player, who is famous around the world, and should those players be treated differently? I think they should.

“When you think of players in that bracket over the last eight years, I would say [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Kylian] Mbappe. I wouldn’t put Salah alongside them, but he is very close for what he’s done for Liverpool, so a legendary figure.

“All of those players get privilege, exactly the same one Mo Salah gets at Liverpool. He doesn’t have to defend, he doesn’t have to chase back, so that’s the privilege he has with Liverpool.

“But when you talk about throwing people under the bus, he’s thrown the Liverpool right-back under the bus the last eight years. Can you imagine playing behind him for eight years? But we accept it because he’s a superstar.

“He’s scored 250 goals, and he’s given me, a Liverpool supporter, some of the greatest nights of my life watching him and what he’s done.

“When you think of the ego of these types of players, Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe, Salah, I think they have a feeling that the success of a football club is down to them.

“I have no problem with that, because I think that drives them on to get more goals and get more success, and it benefits Liverpool.

“It then becomes a problem when you’re in a situation like this. When Mo Salah’s talking about how many goals he’s scored, ‘I’ve got more than anyone else in the Premier League,’ he’s always speaking about himself.

“I’d remind Salah and maybe his agent that before he came to Liverpool he was known as the man who failed at Chelsea, that’s just a fact. He’d never won a major trophy before he came to Liverpool. He’s also the greatest player his country have ever had in Egypt. Egypt are the most successful country in the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] and he’s going there in a couple of weeks.

“Salah’s never won the AFCON. That’s not me trying to put Mo Salah down as a player. I’ve just said he’s one of the best players in the world over the last eight years, very few better. But, what it tells Salah and his agent is that it’s not about an individual.

“You weren’t a big star before you came to Liverpool. You haven’t really won anything with Egypt. All that tells you is that no matter how good a player you are, you need help from your teammates, your manager and fans. I think it’s really important that he remembers that. When he’s talking after the game, all it’s about is me, me, me.

“Have I ever criticised Mo Salah on the pitch? I don’t class that [legs gone comment as criticism], that’s something that happens for every player, I’ve never criticised him for not working back, I’ve never criticised him when he’s gone for games without scoring, I’ve never criticised him when he hasn’t passed to someone he should. He’s an absolute legend, because what you get from him you have to put up with certain things.

“Some of the criticism has been excessive, I’ve said that publicly, but I will go after Salah when he tries to throw my club under the bus off the pitch and just think about himself.

“Let’s understand Arne Slot, he’s conceded 10 goals in three games, one of them against PSV, Salah was embarrassing in terms of the challenge that he puts in.

“He then goes to West Ham away, Nuno [Espirito Santo] team, big on set-pieces. We need to keep a clean sheet, that’s all he cares about. What’s the one thing you’re going to do as a manager? You take the one player out in your team you have allowed not to defend.

“You play Sunderland at home, I’d have played him, but it’s understandable that he keeps the same team. He brings him on at half-time. West Ham away and Leeds away, why would you bring him on when you’re winning those games? You don’t need a goal, you need not to concede.

“So if you’re bringing Salah on, you’re bringing on a guy who can’t defend set pieces and doesn’t run back.

“The one time I wanted to be really critical, and I held back, this season about Salah on the pitch. As I’ve said before, I’ve never been critical of him on the pitch.

“He is a legend of the club, his legacy is there, if he doesn’t score another goal or make another assist for this club, I don’t care. He’s been amazing.

“Where he really let himself down, in my eyes, was this season in Frankfurt and in another game.

“Where there’s a guy who signed for Liverpool who needs a goal more than anyone, Florian Wirtz. Instead of being a great player for the club, be a great ambassador for the club and roll that ball to him for an easy tap-in and go over and give him a hug and say, ‘You’re the guy that’s going to take this Liverpool team forward. I don’t need anymore goals’.

“I’ve seen [John] Barnes at the end, Ian Rush, Steven Gerrard, do you think they’re the same players as they were in their pomp? Of course they weren’t.

“Do supporters think any differently of them now when they see them? They say no, you’re in the top five or six players to ever play for Liverpool, and the same will be said of Salah.

“So in terms of on the pitch, the one criticism I’ve got — help the other players. Help Florian Wirtz, help [Alexander] Isak, don’t be obsessed with your own numbers.

“I think the club have made the right decision in terms of him not going abroad. Whether he will play for Liverpool again, I don’t know. I hope he does, because he’s one of the greatest players we’ve ever had.

“But if you continue like that, and statements like that. If he doesn’t play, who knows.”

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