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Beth Lindop
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has raised questions about whether Mohamed Salah should initiate a conversation with him after Salah’s controversial remarks in a recent interview.
Following Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United, Salah expressed feelings of betrayal, stating that the club had thrown him “under the bus.” He was subsequently left out of the squad for Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan. The forward indicated his relationship with Slot had deteriorated, a sentiment echoed by the manager, who noted they hadn’t communicated in detail since the incident.
With Salah absent, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to take the penalty, successfully converting it to secure the victory.
When asked if he intends to discuss the situation with Salah soon, Slot commented after the match against Inter: “Everyone makes mistakes, so first, we need to consider if the player believes he’s made a mistake, too.” He further elaborated, saying he hasn’t ruled out a conversation and questioned whether the first move should come from him or Salah.
In response to clarifying whether he expects Salah to reach out first, Slot said, “I appreciate you asking that. [Clarence Seedorf] mentioned on the broadcast that he did not specify who should take the first step. Tonight should focus on the players who are here. Liverpool has a rich history filled with these kinds of moments.”
Reflecting on the support from Liverpool’s traveling fans at San Siro, Slot expressed gratitude, noting, “It means a lot that the fans sang for me, but this night is about the team. The support from those fans is vital, especially in tough times for the club.”
Despite a challenging start to their Premier League campaign, Liverpool’s win over Inter leaves them in eighth place with 12 points from six Champions League games. In the Premier League, they currently occupy the 10th spot, just three points shy of Crystal Palace, who hold the final Champions League qualification spot for next season.
Liverpool’s next match is against Brighton on Saturday, although it remains uncertain whether Salah will participate.