Arne Slot says he has “no reasons not to want Mohamed Salah to stay” at Liverpool and will talk with the winger on Friday morning. Salah had said he was “thrown under the bus” after the draw at Leeds and was left out of the squad for the Inter Milan Champions League game.
Slot said he will speak with Mo Salah, and whatever comes from that talk will decide whether Salah plays against Brighton on Saturday. Liverpool host Brighton at Anfield as they try to recover from recent league draws.
Salah, 33, has been left on the bench in two of Liverpool’s last three Premier League games. His last game was the 1-1 draw at Sunderland, and he last started on 26 November in the loss to PSV Eindhoven.
Slot said there have been talks between Salah, his representatives, and the club since the Sunderland game. Salah will soon leave for the Africa Cup of Nations, which could keep him away until mid-January depending on Egypt’s progress.
Salah has scored five goals in 18 games this season. Slot said he has “no clue” if Salah has played his last match for Liverpool but believes players can return to the squad. The winger has been linked with Saudi Arabia, where interest in him remains strong.
Slot also confirmed he helped decide not to take Salah to Milan, but said team selection is ultimately his responsibility, even though he works with Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards.
