The shadow of Mohamed Salah‘s bust-up with Liverpool hung over the team as they faced Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, and the Egyptian forward’s situation looks a long way from being resolved after they eked out a narrow 1-0 win.
Salah was left out of Tuesday’s squad by coach Arne Slot after his withering comments on Saturday, when he accused the club of throwing him under the bus after being left on the bench during a 3-3 Premier League draw with Leeds United.
When asked ahead of Tuesday’s game if Salah had played his last game for the club, Slot said he had “no clue”.
With the travelling fans singing the coach’s name after the final whistle against Inter, Slot took a slightly more conciliatory line towards Salah, suggesting that the player may have spoken in the heat of the moment after the disappointing draw with Leeds.
Yet, he also suggested the responsibility may rest with Salah to repair the damage.
“You concede, and then a lot of things are being said. Normally, that affects players as well, because he’s been so influential for the club and the players, so it’s never nice when something happens to their teammates,” Slot said.
“Everyone makes mistakes in life, but does the player know he’s made a mistake? Should the initiative (to make things right) come from him or me? That’s another question,” he added.
Liverpool has one more Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion before Salah departs to play with Egypt in the African Cup of Nations on December 15.
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Salah is the third-highest scorer in Liverpool’s history, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, with 250 goals in all competitions, and defender Andy Robertson said he hopes the Egyptian’s time at the club is not over.
“That’ll be up to other people. It’s not up to me, but I love playing with Mo Salah, and I hope to continue to play with him,” the 31-year-old said.
Crowned Premier League champions under Slot last season with Salah contributing 34 goals and 18 assists in 52 games across all competitions, Liverpool have struggled to find their best form so far this term, but Tuesday’s win might give them some breathing room.
