Liverpool manager Arne Slot has finally addressed the controversy surrounding Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian forward’s explosive comments came to light over the weekend.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Slot made it clear he will not tolerate public criticism from his players, regardless of their status at the club.
“It’s hard for me to know what Mo [Mohamed Salah] exactly means. Usually I’m calm and polite but I’m not weak. We needed to react and that’s why Mo is not here,” Slot said.
When asked about claims that their relationship had broken down, Slot rejected the notion. “I haven’t felt that at all. He’s been very respectful to teammates and staff members. It was a surprise to me when I heard his comments. He has every right to feel what he feels, but if he shares it with the media then we have to react.”
Liverpool left Salah out of their squad for Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Inter Milan, deciding on the omission in consultation with and with the full support of Slot.
The decision came in the wake of comments Salah made after Saturday evening’s 3-3 Premier League draw at Leeds United, where Slot benched him for a third time in a week.
In a stunning interview, Salah accused Liverpool of breaking promises and suggested someone at the club wanted him out.
“It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame,” Salah told reporters.
The 33-year-old forward expressed frustration over his lack of playing time. “The club made me a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games, so I can’t say they keep the promise.”
Salah also addressed his relationship with Slot directly. “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”
Salah hinted at uncertainty about his future at Anfield. “We’ll see what’s going to happen. I don’t know what is going to happen now. I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON]. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
Foreign media reports suggest Slot made the decision to leave Salah at home with full support from the club. Sources indicate it is in the best interest of all parties involved for the player to have a brief period away from selection given the nature and timing of his public comments.
However, the club will not take formal disciplinary action against Salah.
The star forward departs for the Africa Cup of Nations next Monday and also looks likely to miss Liverpool’s Premier League home game against Brighton on Saturday.
Salah has scored 250 goals for Liverpool since signing from Roma in 2017, but has just five in 19 games this season.