Despite being excluded from the match squad by a technical decision from Dutch coach Arne Slot, Salah appeared smiling and eating pieces of pineapple in the stands, in a scene that sparked widespread controversy among fans on social media.
Public opinion was divided regarding Salah's actions. While some considered it a message that the player is not worried despite his declining performance and recent benching, others felt that the Egyptian star's calm demeanor was inappropriate given the team's current crisis.
One user of the "X" platform wrote angrily: "I don't know what's funny here!"
In contrast, others called for him to be given some space to rest, stressing that he is not the cause of Liverpool's current crisis.
Liverpool's exit from the Carabao Cup was the latest in a string of poor results in the Premier League, where they have lost four consecutive matches and dropped to seventh place with 15 points.
They have also faced widespread criticism for their inconsistent performances in the Champions League, despite securing two wins and suffering a defeat against Galatasaray.
On an individual level, Mohamed Salah is going through a difficult period, having scored 4 goals and made 3 assists in just 13 matches, and he has lost his starting position in the Champions League for the first time since joining Liverpool.
Former Nigerian star John Obi Mikel called for not being too harsh on Salah, revealing that he was deeply affected by the death of his teammate Diogo Jota before the start of the season, an incident that left a psychological impact on the player.
Liverpool will face Aston Villa in the Premier League next Saturday, before two heavyweight clashes against Real Madrid in the Champions League and then Manchester City in the league.
