Salah’s Future at Liverpool Plunged into Doubt After Public Fallout with Arne Slot
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah’s future at the club is increasingly uncertain following a public dispute with head coach Arne Slot, who admitted on Monday he has “no clue” if the player has played his last game for the Reds. The situation escalated after Salah’s recent interview, prompting his exclusion from Liverpool’s Champions League match against Inter on Tuesday and potentially sidelining him for Saturday’s game against Brighton.
The tension stems from Salah’s comments made following a match at Leeds, where he suggested a breakdown in his relationship with the coaching staff and alleged someone at the club had “thrown him under the bus.” Slot directly addressed these claims during a press conference previewing Liverpool’s match at San Siro, firmly denying any fractured relationship. “That is not the way I feel,” Slot stated, adding that only Salah knows who he believes is attempting to force him out of the club.
Slot revealed he informed Salah directly on Monday that he would not be traveling to Italy for the Champions League fixture. This decision, made in conjunction with the Liverpool hierarchy and with the Dutch coach’s full support, signals a significant escalation in the dispute. The club has taken a firm stance, demonstrating, according to Slot, that his “politeness should not be mistaken for weakness.”
The situation is further complicated by Salah’s impending departure for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt on Monday, potentially keeping him away from Liverpool until mid-January. This absence could coincide with renewed interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, who reportedly pursued the forward previously. When pressed on whether a return to the team was possible for the Egyptian international, who is under contract until the summer of 2027, Slot offered a cautious response: “I am a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player. But that is not… I can leave it with that I think.”
Slot expressed surprise at Salah’s claims of a broken relationship, particularly given the player’s respectful demeanor following his recent benching – the first time he’s been sidelined for three consecutive games in his Liverpool career. “I haven’t felt that at all until Saturday evening,” Slot explained. “When I don’t play someone usually players don’t like the manager that much but he was really respectful to the staff and manager, his teammates and he trained very hard so it was a surprise to me when I heard the comments he gave.”
The head coach admitted he was unsure who Salah was referencing when alleging someone within the club had undermined him, acknowledging a limited exchange with the player since Saturday – solely to inform him of the decision regarding the Inter match. Slot emphasized that the club’s response was a demonstration of authority. “Usually I’m calm, I’m polite,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m weak so if a player has these comments about so many things then it’s up to me and the club to react. We reacted in way you can see – he’s not here.”
Liverpool is already facing squad limitations ahead of the Inter match, with Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Wataru Endo all unavailable due to illness and injury. Chiesa may be able to travel on the day of the game if he recovers, but Gakpo is expected to be sidelined for several weeks after picking up an injury against Leeds. This leaves Slot with a squad of just 19 players, including three goalkeepers and three teenagers.
Despite the turmoil, support for Slot remains within the squad. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker expressed hope that Salah would return to the team, stating, “That’s a personal situation between Mo and the club. We as his teammates and his friends, we hope the best thing happens for him, but as Liverpool players we want the best for the club as well. We want a win-win situation for everyone.” Alisson also affirmed the team’s belief in Slot’s leadership, particularly as he steps into the challenging role of succeeding Jürgen Klopp. “Before Arne came in everyone talks about the huge challenge being a substitute for Jürgen Klopp. Now it looks like everyone takes for granted what we achieved last season. That should not be taken for granted. That should be enough but we believe in his knowledge. We believe his style of play and that he is capable of helping us to turn around this situation.”
Adding fuel to the fire, former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher publicly criticized Salah on Monday night, suggesting the timing of his interview was deliberately chosen to coincide with a poor run of results for the club and potentially pressure the manager. Carragher also reminded Salah and his agent of his previous struggles at Chelsea before finding success at Liverpool.
The situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Mohamed Salah has a future at Anfield.
