'I didn't like his petulance' – Former Liverpool star Michael Owen slams Mohamed Salah

Former Liverpool hero Michael Owen has admitted he is still unhappy with Mohamed Salah's recent dispute with Jurgen Klopp.

During the Reds' 2-2 away draw with West Ham United at the end of April, Klopp and Salah exchanged some fierce words moments before the Egyptian was introduced from the bench. After the game, Salah could be heard saying "There is going to be fire if I speak" when he walked through the mixed zone at the London Stadium.

Klopp, who will take charge of the penultimate match of his Liverpool career when the Reds travel to Aston Villa on Monday May 13, made it clear that the pair have both moved on from their quarrel. Owen, 44, has said that he likes Salah's winners' mentality, but he is still troubled by the public nature of the exchange.

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While speaking on behalf of the Gambling Zone, the former England international said: “Salah's spat with Klopp was not ideal.

"I can get his frustration if it was because of a lack of time, he is not used to being on the bench, he probably wants to win the golden boot. He's just a competitor who wants to win all the time.

“The best thing would be to put your head down. People around the world point to it and say look at the money you earn, but they are human beings too and they have feelings. I love that he is a real winner and wants to be on the pitch all the time to score all the time.

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“I love all that. I just think the right thing to do would be to get your head down, do as well as you can, get back to the training ground, knock on the manager's door, and then if you have something to say, say it to his face.

"I don't like the act of petulance in the full glare of the world's cameras. He could have gone about it a different way.”

At the time, Klopp was immediately pressed about the exchange in his post-match press conference. He emphatically said: "We spoke about it in the dressing room but it’s done for me. That’s all. That’s it.”

Salah started the following Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. He helped himself to a goal and an assist against the north Londoners, which helped pour cold water over any lingering doubts about Salah and Klopp's relationship. Salah has contributed 18 goals and 10 assists in 20 Premier League appearances this season.