"No Excuse": Mohamed Salah Blasts Liverpool Moments After Man United Secured UCL Qualification

"No Excuse": Mohamed Salah Blasts Liverpool Moments After Man United Secured UCL Qualification

Rene Otinga
updated at May 26, 2023 at 8:00 AM
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  • Mohamed Salah has lamented Liverpool's season with the club missing out on the Champions League
  • They needed Man United to lose both remaining games to have a chance of qualifying for the tourney
  • The Red Devils’ win over Chelsea means Salah and his team head to the Europa League next season

Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah released a worrying statement after his side failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds will have to play in the second-tier Europa League in the 2023-24 season, after Manchester United’s win over Chelsea on Thursday confirmed their place in the final Champions League spot.

This is certainly unfamiliar territory for Salah, as it is the first time Liverpool have failed to qualify for the Champions League since 2017.

Mohammed Salah
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on May 23, 2023 in Kirkby, England. Photo by Andrew Powell.
Source: Getty Images

In a statement on social media, the Egyptian insisted there was 'no excuse' for his team for failing to make the Premier League's top four.

"We had everything we needed to make it to next year's Champions League and we failed. We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum. I am sorry, but it's too soon for an uplifting or optimistic post. We let you and ourselves down."

Liverpool better, but not enough

Despite a torrid season for the Reds, they somehow turned a corner in 2023, going on an impressive seven-game winning run to put themselves back in contention for a top-four finish.

However, it appears their surge came a bit too late in the season, as they simply could not topple Newcastle United or Manchester United, who remained fairly consistent late on.

As reported by The Athletic, the Magpies’ 0-0 draw against Leicester City on Monday confirmed their Champions League place, while United are now also guaranteed to finish in the top four.

By now, Liverpool will surely be accustomed to the top European competition, with Jurgen Klopp leading them to three finals in the competition and one victory.

Despite Salah’s disappointment, the German manager tried to stay positive with his latest remarks about the Europa League.

"I am not that spoiled. That we are already qualified for the Europa League is incredible with all these teams around us. That's really difficult and we did it, that is good.”

Firmino’s classy goodbye gesture

Sports Brief also reported on Roberto Firmino’s classy gift to Liverpool as he departs the club after eight successful years in Merseyside.

The Brazilian was one of the signings that kickstarted the Klopp era, but will now make way for a new generation to come in at the club.

According to Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Firmino gave out 200 custom gifts to his teammates, staff, friends, and family.

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Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.