London: Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher branded Mohamed Salah "a disgrace" on Monday following the Egyptian star's explosive public criticism of Reds manager Arne Slot.

Salah claimed he had been "thrown under a bus" and shared no relationship with Slot after being benched for Saturday's 3-3 draw at Leeds, the third straight match Slot omitted the forward amid his form slump this season.

Liverpool responded by dropping the 33-year-old from the squad for Tuesday's Champions League match at Inter Milan.

On Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, 2005 Champions League winner Carragher said: "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 has done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it's choreographed with his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position."

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Carragher suggested Salah timed the rant after a poor result to target Slot and potentially force his dismissal when club morale was low.

A two-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner during his iconic Anfield tenure, Salah, despite signing a new deal in April, hinted it might be his Liverpool farewell before the African Cup of Nations following Saturday's Brighton clash.

Linked with a Saudi Pro League move, Carragher added: "What he's done off the pitch, 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."

With inputs from AFP