Arne Slot has firmly stated that he does not perceive himself as diminished by Mohamed Salah’s recent criticism, pushing back against any suggestion that his control within Liverpool has weakened. The winger, now 33, was excluded from the travelling group for the Champions League clash with Inter Milan after publicly accusing the club of casting blame onto him and revealing that his understanding with Slot had deteriorated.
The manager described his reaction to those claims as one of surprise, noting that Salah’s comments came despite the player training intensively in the build-up to the weekend. Slot stressed that although he and Salah maintained communication, harmony was not always present, and disagreements over footballing decisions were not new.
Asked to clarify why Salah had been overlooked for selection in recent matches, Slot said the team’s inconsistency had prompted him to adjust the structure, adding an extra midfielder after Liverpool appeared exposed in previous games. He argued that any player may hold personal views, yet sharing them publicly crosses a line the club must respond to.
Slot explained that the brief conversation informing Salah he would not join the squad for Milan was direct and without tension. He emphasized that calmness should not be confused with fragility, insisting that criticism from an individual cannot override the club’s broader needs.
Uncertainty surrounds Salah’s future
Slot admitted he could not determine whether Salah had already played his final match for Liverpool, though he maintained a belief that reconciliation is always possible. According to internal sources, the choice to leave Salah in England was made with the manager’s full agreement, framed as a temporary measure allowing time for reflection after the player’s remarks.
Although no disciplinary action is expected, the situation comes at a difficult moment for Liverpool. Salah is poised to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations next Monday, likely ruling him out of the upcoming league home fixture against Brighton. His scoring record has dipped notably this season, with only five goals across 19 appearances after years of prolific output.
Since arriving from Roma in 2017, Salah has amassed 250 goals for the club, a testament to his long-term impact. Yet the current dispute adds an unexpected layer of uncertainty as Liverpool attempts to navigate a fragile stretch of form while missing several attacking options for the Inter match.
Goalkeeper Alisson acknowledged that the squad were taken aback by Salah’s interview but stressed that teammates hope for a resolution benefitting both the player and the club. He reiterated that the dressing room admires Salah personally but must also prioritize Liverpool’s collective stability.
Manager receives backing as spotlight intensifies
Slot’s media appearance in Milan, held on a local holiday yet filled to capacity, became an extended examination of the rift with Salah. The coach opened with a joke but gradually delivered a series of pointed remarks that highlighted where authority lies. When asked directly about the claim that Salah had been “thrown under the bus,” Slot responded by underlining his duty to act when public criticism reaches such a scale.
The presence of Alisson later offering support for Slot proved significant, especially given Liverpool’s recent difficulties. The goalkeeper said the squad trusts the manager’s ideas and believes he is capable of steering the team through the turbulence.
Throughout the press conference, Slot avoided inflaming the situation further. He sidestepped specific details of his discussion with Salah, choosing instead to outline the principles guiding the club’s decision-making. He confirmed that Salah’s future was mentioned only because the player himself had raised questions about it.
After several minutes dominated by inquiries about the dispute, the club’s media officer eventually redirected the session toward the upcoming match. Nevertheless, the incident remains at the center of attention and is expected to overshadow Liverpool’s immediate on-field challenges until a definitive outcome emerges.
