No words this time, just a photo from Mohamed Salah as his Liverpool future hangs in doubt

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — With uncertainty hanging over his Liverpool career, Mohamed Salah sent out another message on Tuesday. This time without any words.

Following the fallout from his explosive comments on Saturday, Salah posted a picture for his 85 million followers across Instagram and X of him alone in the gym at Liverpool's training complex.

Sitting on a workout bench in front of a mirror, Salah is expressionless as he holds his phone up to take a selfie. Dropped from Liverpool's squad to play Inter Milan in the Champions League, the Egypt international showed he is still putting in the work at the gym after reporting for training.

It was certainly more subtle than the statement he issued after being dropped for the third game in a row as the defending Premier League champion drew 3-3 at Leeds on Saturday.

"It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame,” he said during an impromptu interview with reporters outside the stadium.

Salah likely knew the severity of his words — coming at a point when Liverpool's title defense is unraveling by the week and there is mounting scrutiny of coach Arne Slot.

He was left out of the squad that traveled to Milan on Monday, with Slot saying he has “no clue” whether the Anfield icon would play again for the club.

“I cannot answer that question at this point in time,” Slot said. “I am a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player. I can leave it with that I think.”

Criticism was more fierce from Liverpool great and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

“I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football. ”Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I don’t think it was."

Carragher said Salah had chosen “to go for the manager and maybe try and get him sacked.”

Salah has established himself as one of Liverpool's greatest players — winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and a host of other trophies.

Last season he was named player of the year for the third time after scoring 34 goals in all competitions and firing Liverpool to a record-equaling 20th league title.

He ended months of uncertainty when signing a two-year contract extension in April, reportedly making him the highest paid player in the club's history. But his form has dipped during a troubled start to the season for Liverpool, which has won just two of its last 10 league games.

Salah, who has four league goals in 13 appearances this term, was first dropped for the game against West Ham last month. He was then on the bench for the match against Sunderland and was an unused substitute at Leeds.

That led to his outburst — claiming he felt like "someone doesn’t want me in the club.”

He also said he doesn't have “any relationship” with Slot.

“It is not the first or last time a player who doesn’t play says something similar to what he did,” Slot said Monday. “But my reaction to that is clear and that’s why he is not here tonight.”

Salah is due to head off to the African Cup of Nations next week. He said he did not know what would happen while he was away.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, centre left, speaks with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai as they take part in a training session in Liverpool, England, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, uses a resistance band with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai as they take part in a training session in Liverpool, England, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah smiles as he takes part in a training session in Liverpool, England, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah arrives at AXA Training Centre, in Liverpool, England, Tuesday Dec. 9, 2025. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Devon Conway reached a half century in a 67-run partnership with Kane Williamson which carried New Zealand to 112-2 at lunch Thursday on the second day of the second test against West Indies.

Kemar Roach made an early breakthrough, dismissing Tom Latham (11) in the fifth over of the day and Williamson (37) fell to close to lunch to a peach of a ball from Anderson Phillip which pitched on middle and straightened past the outside edge to hit off stump.

Conway was 55 not out at the break and Rachin Ravindra was 5 as New Zealand added 88 runs in the morning session on a pitch still assisting fast bowlers.

New Zealand resumed at 24 without loss in reply to the West Indies' first innings of 205.

Latham fell to a superb ball from Roach which cut back from a length, through the batter's defensive prod to hit off stump.

Conway was dropped at leg gully by Brandon King from the bowling of Jayden Seales when he was 29 and Williamson offered a hard return catch to Phillip when he was on 22.

The West Indies bowlers tested Conway, first by bowling around the wicket into his pads and later over the wicket and across him toward slips.

The pitch at the Basin Reserve hardened since the first day and offered pace, bounce and sharp movement from a good length.

Ravindra, who made 171 in the second innings of the drawn first test, got off the mark just before lunch with a dangerous slice between slips and gully.

Fast bowler Blair Tickner rejoined the New Zealand team after dislocating his left shoulder in a fielding accident on the first day, after he had taken 4-32.

In a statement, the New Zealand team said Tickner will not bowl or field again in the match and will only bat if absolutely necessary.

The teams played to a draw in the series opener at Christchurch. The third and final test begins Dec. 18 at Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand fielders Blair Tickner, left, and Glenn Phillips are unable to field a ball while playing the West Indies on Day 5 of their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Devon Conway bats against the West Indies on day 3 during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)