Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has spoken candidly about the ongoing tension involving Mohamed Salah, admitting the situation is far from enjoyable as the Reds prepare to face Brighton at Anfield. The Dutchman addressed the issue while stressing that every decision he makes must serve the club’s interests first, with Liverpool seeking a league response after recent turbulence.
The importance of the Brighton fixture has already been underlined within the squad, as highlighted by Milos Kerkez’s comments ahead of the match reported by SoftFootball.
Slot’s comments, which were posted by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account, come just days after Salah was recalled to the squad following a tense week that saw him left out of the Champions League win over Inter Milan. That decision, and the wider fallout, has dominated discussion ahead of Saturday’s kickoff, with Anfield set for a charged atmosphere.
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Speaking openly, Slot admitted he takes no pleasure in the standoff with one of Liverpool’s greatest modern players. He explained that while he understands Salah’s importance and legacy, his responsibility is to select teams based on what he believes gives Liverpool the best chance to win.
Slot said he is not enjoying the situation at all but insisted his lineups must always be about the club and the team rather than emotions or external noise. The friction began after Salah was benched during the dramatic draw with Leeds, ending a long run of league starts.
Salah’s subsequent comments, where he claimed he had been thrown under the bus and that his relationship with the manager had broken down, escalated matters quickly. Liverpool responded by leaving him out of the squad entirely for the trip to Milan, a move Slot later confirmed was agreed internally but remained his call as head coach.
Following face-to-face talks at the AXA Training Centre, Salah was brought back into the squad for Brighton. Slot made it clear that there was no desire to create a farewell storyline or media distraction, especially with the Africa Cup of Nations approaching. With Salah set to join Egypt later this month, uncertainty remains over his immediate future.
Slot, however, struck a conciliatory tone, stating he has no reason not to want Salah at the club, pointing to the many victories Liverpool have enjoyed with him in the side. As Anfield awaits, the focus now turns to results on the pitch and whether this uneasy chapter can settle, at least for now.
