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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said Mohamed Salah was “not feeling well” after getting into an altercation with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the touchline during Saturday's game against West Ham United.
Salah did not play in the match and collided with Klopp, who was about to come on as a substitute, in the 79th minute.
The draw left Liverpool out of the Europa League, five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Sutton felt the incident reflected poorly on the 31-year-old. He is the Reds' top scorer with 24 goals this season, but has not been at his best in recent games.
“I didn't like it, but I think it was Mo Salah who was out of form,” Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
“He's no different from any of his Liverpool team-mates and the truth is he hasn't been well since coming back from injury.
“It's nothing to do with Salah and the great player he was at Liverpool. He's been phenomenal, but I think there's a line and unfortunately for him it's been crossed.”
But Sutton believes Klopp is well within his rights to choose the starting eleven he feels gives Liverpool the best chance of securing victory.
“You can't live based on the past,” Sutton added.
“It is here now and manager Klopp has decided to leave him out. That is his prerogative. He is the manager and Salah is no different from any other team-mate.”
Salah appeared to be unhappy with Klopp's comments about to be brought on and wanted to prolong the argument until team-mates Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez removed him.
Salah later declined a request for an interview, saying, “If I speak today, there will be fire.''
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman also felt that the incident did not reflect well on the Egyptian forward.
“If you act like that, you're basically saying, 'I should definitely play before them,' and you're being disrespectful to your teammates and the coach,” Osman said. It shows,” he said.
“Yes, he was their best player, but you guys are all part of the team and most of the time you all rotate and you all have the same goal of winning football games, so you're on the field.'' Shake hands when you leave.
“This is a sad end to their history and relationship.”
