Stevie Nicol believes the Liverpool manager made uncomplimentary comments to the Egyptian which sparked the pair's heated exchange against West Ham.
Former Liverpool defender Stevie Nicol has blamed Jurgen Klopp for the disagreement with Mohamed Salah in Saturday’s Premier League game with West Ham United at the London Stadium.
16:01 - 27.04.2024
It's done — Jurgen Klopp comments on public spat with Mo Salah
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp refused to divulge details about his heated exchange on the touchlines with Mohamed Salah during the 2-2 draw against West Ham.
11:07 - 28.04.2024
'I'm team Salah' - Premier League legend supports Egyptian king after row with Liverpool boss Klopp
The row between Mohamed Salah and Jurgen Klopp has sent ripples through the Premier League
What happened?
Before Salah’s 79th-minute introduction, a missed West Ham chance saw Klopp turn to Salah on the touchline, sparking the exchange, before the forward was pacified by Darwin Nunez and Joseph Gomez.
The game at the London Stadium ended 1-1, realistically ending Liverpool’s Premier League prospects in Klopp’s final season.
Salah fanned the flames in the mixed zone post-match, stating that he could not speak about the incident to avoid further controversy.
What Nicol said about Salah’s spat with Klopp
This has brought about criticism of Klopp from the retired Reds defender.
“This little spat was started by Klopp,” Nicol said on ESPN. “Mo Salah was getting ready to get on the field thinking about what he had been told to do.
“Then Klopp goes over and has a little whisper in his ear that lights the firework. I don’t think you need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that it wasn’t something complimentary.
“Why would you do that? Clearly, Klopp has a problem with Mo Salah.”
What comes next for Liverpool?
Klopp’s men need Arsenal and Manchester City to collapse in the final weeks of the title run-in to have a shot at a second Premier League crown.
The Reds face Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the German manager’s final three league fixtures before Arne Slot’s expected appointment.