Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed he will hold talks with Mohamed Salah to decide whether the forward will return to the squad for this weekend’s clash against Brighton.
The forward was left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad for Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan. His exclusion was a consequence of a problematic interview in which he said he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club. Salah also claimed he had “earned his place” in the team when speaking to reporters at Elland Road following the draw against Leeds.
Slot, speaking ahead of Saturday’s fixture, reiterated his stance on Salah’s long-term future at the club.
I have no reason not to want him to stay. I will have a conversation with Mo. The outcome of that conversation determines how things will look [on Saturday].
Liverpool are set to host Brighton at Anfield on Saturday, hoping to get back to winning ways after consecutive Premier League draws. Salah has been an unused substitute in two of the Reds’ last three league matches.
His most recent appearance was as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland on December 3. As for his last start, it came in November against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
After the Sunderland game, there were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, between him and me.
Salah is due to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. Depending on how far Egypt progress, he may not return to Liverpool until after the final on January 18. He has scored five goals in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.
Asked on Monday whether Salah had played his last game for the club, Slot responded he had “no clue” but added he is a “firm believer” in players returning to the fold even after tensions.
Interest in Salah from Saudi Arabia remains strong. He was heavily linked with a move over the past few years, and reports have reemerged that Salah is still a target for clubs in the Gulf.
During Friday’s press conference, Slot faced a barrage of questions regarding his relationship with Salah and how much freedom he has when it comes to squad decisions.
“We decided as a club, and I was part of that decision, not to take him to Milan,” said Slot.
I am always in contact with them [sporting director Richard Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards]. But when it comes to the decision-making of the line-up or the squad, they leave that open to me.
Liverpool players had Thursday off, and with Salah not part of the travelling squad to Italy, discussions ostensibly took place Friday morning at the club’s training centre.
Slot has repeatedly stated that his next conversation on Salah will be with the player himself, a reflection of the intensity of a noisy week at the club. His refusal to escalate the situation any further suggests a desire to resolve it internally.
While Salah’s absence was initially viewed as a short-term exclusion, Slot has left the door open for his return.
Even if it’s a long shot, the suggestion that Salah could be reintegrated for Saturday’s game offers a glimpse of hope that this fractious episode might yet have a positive resolution.