Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he is “not weak” and insists the situation with Mohamed Salah has not damaged his authority. Salah, 33, was left out of the squad for the Champions League match against Inter Milan after giving an explosive interview in which he claimed he was “thrown under the bus” and said his relationship with Slot had broken down.
Slot said he was surprised by Salah’s comments and doesn’t feel undermined. He explained that his talk with Salah about not travelling to Milan was brief. Slot added that being calm doesn’t mean he can’t be firm, and that the club had to respond when a player makes such public statements.
He also said he doesn’t know if Salah has played his last game for Liverpool, but believes there is “always a possibility to return” for any player.
Slot said he didn’t know who Salah was referring to when he said someone wanted him to take all the blame. He added that Salah had been training well but disagreed with going to the media. Slot explained that the team has struggled recently, and he used an extra midfielder because Liverpool looked vulnerable in previous matches.
Club sources say the decision to leave Salah at home had Slot’s full support and was the best move for everyone, considering the timing of Salah’s interview. No disciplinary action will be taken.
Salah, who leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations next Monday and may also miss the Brighton game, has scored 250 goals for Liverpool since arriving from Roma in 2017 but has only five goals in 19 games this season. Slot has named a 19-man squad for the Inter match, with Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Wataru Endo also missing.
