Manager says he is a “firm believer” in the possibility of a return for any player
Arne Slot has said he has “no clue” whether Mohamed Salah will play another match for Liverpool after dropping him from the squad ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.
Slot’s comments came after Salah’s explosive interview following the 3-3 draw with Leeds, in which the Egyptian said he felt “thrown under the bus” by the club after being benched for three straight league games.
The head coach denied that their relationship had broken down as Salah claimed, and said only the winger knew what he meant by the comment.
That is not the way I feel, but he has the right to feel how he feels things,” Slot said.
“I haven’t felt that at all until Saturday evening for sure. When I don’t play someone usually players don’t like the manager that much but he was really respectful to the staff and manager, his teammates and he trained very hard so it was a surprise to me when I heard the comments he gave.
“But it is not the first or last time a player who doesn’t play says something similar to what he did. But my reaction to that is clear and that’s why he is not here tonight.”
When asked whether he believed Salah might return to the fold, Slot said: “I am a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player. But that is not … I can leave it with that I think.”
Pressed on whether the forward might have already played his final game for Liverpool, Slot said: “I have no clue. I cannot answer that question at this point in time.”
