Mohamed Salah has been left out of Liverpool’s travelling squad for their crucial Champions League meeting with Inter Milan following his unexpected public remarks about his situation under manager Arne Slot. Despite appearing relaxed and smiling during training earlier in the day the Egyptian forward was omitted from the team list released on Monday.
Salah’s exclusion follows his weekend comments in which he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and no longer shared a working relationship with Slot after being benched for a third straight match during the 3-3 draw with Leeds. The 33-year-old remained unused at Elland Road adding to his ongoing frustration in what has been a difficult season for him.
Speaking after the match Salah revealed that he felt unwanted at the club and suggested someone was attempting to place blame on him for Liverpool’s recent struggles. The attacker insisted his previously strong relationship with Slot suddenly deteriorated without explanation.
Liverpool reportedly made the decision to remove Salah from the travelling squad with Slot’s full support though no official disciplinary punishment has been issued. Club insiders believe a short break from the squad is the best immediate response to the tension created by his statements.
Salah’s remarks have intensified speculation regarding a possible January move with long-standing interest from Saudi Pro League clubs resurfacing. After Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Brighton next weekend the Egyptian captain is expected to join his national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Since joining Liverpool in 2017 Salah has become one of the club’s greatest-ever players scoring 250 goals in 420 appearances and playing a vital role in Premier League and Champions League triumphs. However this campaign he has struggled to match his usual standards scoring just four goals in 13 league matches as Liverpool sit ninth in the table.
Slot has already benched him in European fixtures against Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt signalling concerns over his form and defensive work rate. Salah’s last start came in the 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on November 26 and he has not scored since early November.
His outburst arrives at a difficult moment for Slot who is attempting to stabilise a team that has won only four of its last fifteen games. The squad travelling to Italy is also weakened as Cody Gakpo Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo did not make the trip due to injuries leaving Liverpool with a reduced 19-man group.
Slot will speak alongside goalkeeper Alisson Becker at the pre-match press conference at San Siro ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes clash with Inter Milan.