‘We failed’ – Salah savages Liverpool after critical failings see Man Utd, Newcastle cement their fate

Mohamed Salah delivered a brutally honest assessment of the current Liverpool season, admitting he’s “devastated” and declaring “there’s absolutely no excuse for this”.

Man Utd’s commanding 4-1 victory over Chelsea on Thursday night ensured Liverpool will not play Champions League football next season.

England’s representatives in that competition will be Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd and Newcastle. The Magpies will grace the UCL for the first time since 2003.

Liverpool, meanwhile, can only finish fifth and as such, a place in the Europa League awaits. Next year will be the first season in which Liverpool are not in the Champions League since the 2016/17 campaign.

The absence of UCL football will cut into the club’s revenue and may also harm their appeal in the transfer market. However, a more immediate consequence has been felt back at Anfield.

Indeed, taking to social media, Reds ace Mohamed Salah delivering a withering assessment of Liverpool’s campaign once their UCL miss was confirmed.

On both Twitter and Instagram, Salah wrote: “I’m totally devastated. There’s absolutely no excuse for this.

“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.”

Midfield the biggest Liverpool issue

Liverpool came within two games of a historic quadruple last term. All they have to show for their efforts this time around is the Community Shield.

Liverpool’s season unravelled almost before it began when failing to win any of their first three league matches. Being outfought and outthought by Man Utd in the 2-1 defeat in gameweek three was the first major red flag for Jurgen Klopp.

Midfield issues have plagued the Reds all season long and that is the area in which Liverpool will spend the most money to address this summer.

Too many in the engine room were levels below the usual standard for much of the season. As such, it did not come as a surprise when the exits of Arthur Melo, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita were all recently confirmed.

A move for Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister is close to completion and will be the first of many new arrivals in midfield.

Elsewhere, a new centre-half and back-up right-back are wanted.

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