Salah's Liverpool Future in Limbo as Manager Slot Downplays Rift
Image Source: Internet
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has refused to speculate on whether Mohamed Salah will play for the club again, following the Egyptian forward's bombshell comments that left him out of the squad for Tuesday's Champions League game against Inter Milan. Salah, 33, was omitted from the 19-man traveling party after saying he had been 'thrown under the bus' by the club in an explosive interview on Saturday. He also claimed he no longer had a relationship with Slot and accused someone of wanting him gone despite scoring 250 goals and winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League in eight years at Anfield. When asked if Salah would return to the team, Slot said: 'I have no clue. I cannot answer that question at this moment.' The manager admitted he was surprised by Salah's comments, but stood by the decision to leave him out of the squad. Slot said: 'To an extent it was a surprise for me when I heard after the game that he gave the comments he gave. But I think our, my, reaction to that is also clear, and that's that why he's not here with us tonight.' Salah trained with the squad on Monday but was told he wouldn't be traveling to Italy. The forward's form has been under scrutiny this season, and he was left on the bench in last month's win at West Ham United. Slot said: 'He has every right to feel what he feels, but he doesn't have the right to share it with the media. He has that right, but then it's up to us to react on it.' The Salah situation adds to the pressure on Slot, who led Liverpool to the title in his first season but has come under scrutiny this term. Despite the controversy, Slot insisted he didn't feel his authority was being undermined and was focused on the team's performance. Liverpool are 13th in the Champions League table, while Inter are fourth. The Reds will look to bounce back from their draw at Leeds United and get back on track in the Champions League.
