Salah linked up well with the team and delivered a record-breaking assist on Saturday
Arne Slot has said there are no unresolved issues between him and Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool forward returned to action in the win over Brighton.
Salah came off the bench midway through the first half at Anfield, having been left out of the squad for Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Inter Milan on Tuesday, over his comments about Slot and the club.
Slot confirmed he spoke to the player before restoring him to the squad but naturally refused to reveal details of their conversation.
“For me there’s no issues to resolve,” Slot said. “He is the same as any other player. You talk to your players if you are happy or unhappy with things. There is nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds after the game.”
Salah connected well with the team and delivered a record-breaking assist for Hugo Ekitike via a corner.
“He had the performance like you would want him to give,” Slot said. “He was close to another assist, he was close to scoring when Fede [Chiesa] assisted him. He was a threat which is very important.
“The reason he wasn’t in Milan was his interview. Everybody has a different opinion on that – should he be [out] once, twice, three times or longer? Every manager makes different decisions. I spoke to him [on Friday], and actions speak louder than words.”
Salah applauded supporters after the final whistle, appearing emotional as he walked around the pitch, though Slot dismissed any suggestion that he was saying goodbye.
“He wasn’t the only player who walked around the pitch thanking the fans,” Slot said. “Our fans deserved that. Our players worked incredibly hard to keep a clean sheet.”
Salah will now join up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations, and while there were doubts over his future following the events of the week, Slot made it clear he sees Salah as part of his plans beyond the tournament.
“He is a Liverpool player and when he is here I like to use him when we need him,” Slot said. “I think you already know the answer to whether I want him here. What has been said between us stays between us.”
