Liverpool boss Arne Slot has broken his silence on the escalating Mohamed Salah controversy, confirming the Egyptian star was left out of the squad for the crucial Champions League clash with Inter Milan at San Siro — and insisting communication between the pair has been minimal since the weekend fallout.
Slot addressed the media inside the iconic stadium on Monday evening after Liverpool arrived in Milan ahead of matchday six in the league phase. The press conference was dominated by questions about Salah’s cryptic comments following Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds, where the forward suggested he had been “thrown under the bus.”
Slot admitted even he isn’t fully sure who Salah was referencing.
“The only one who can answer that question is Mo himself. I can guess but I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. It’s hard for me to tell who he means in that situation,” Slot said.
Communication Limited — and Only to Tell Salah He Isn’t Travelling
Slot revealed that the only correspondence with Salah since Saturday has been a brief update informing him he was not part of the travelling squad to Milan.
“We’ve let him know that he’s not travelling with us. That was the only communication there has been from us to him,” he said.
“Before Saturday the two of us have spoken a lot. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.”
Despite public perception of a broken relationship, Slot rejected the idea their bond has collapsed.
“He has the right to feel how he feels. I haven’t felt that at all until Saturday evening. He was respectful to staff, teammates and trained really hard. So it was a surprise to me when I heard after the game the comments he gave.”
Still, the manager acknowledged consequences were necessary.
“We reacted in a way you can see now — he’s not here.”
Will Salah Return? Slot Doesn’t Shut the Door
Slot refused to rule out Salah’s involvement in future matches — including this coming Saturday.
“I’m a firm believer that there’s always a possibility to return for a player. After tomorrow we will look at the situation again.”
Asked about Salah’s reaction when told he would not travel, Slot described it bluntly:
“A short one.”
Why Has Salah Been Benched Recently?
Slot detailed fresh tactical challenges facing Liverpool — and said his decisions were strategic, not personal.
The Reds boss admitted Liverpool have struggled this season and late last season against teams using disruptive game plans including long balls and compact defensive structures.
“We looked very vulnerable… against Forest and PSV. I tried many things because that is my job.”
He said improvements were seen when adding an extra midfielder versus West Ham — a change he stuck with.
Against Leeds, a tactical 4-4-2 diamond shape saw Hugo Ekitike preferred over Salah.
“I could have played Mo off the right instead of Hugo, but I decided to play Hugo.”
Has Salah Played His Last Game for Liverpool?
Slot was honest:
“I have no clue. I cannot answer that question at this moment of time.”
Is His Authority Being Challenged?
The manager dismissed suggestions his leadership has been undermined.
“I don’t feel my authority is undermined. It’s not the way I feel it.”
Still, he admitted the timing makes a tough period even tougher.
“If that was even possible,” he joked, before expressing concern for the wider club:
“It’s difficult to see staff members affected by the situation we are in. That is where mostly my thoughts go — not towards me.”
Does Slot Understand Salah’s Frustration?
Slot refused to speculate about the full meaning behind the forward’s pointed remarks.
“Then I should know exactly what he means. That is difficult for me.”
He confirmed he has not discussed the comments directly with Salah, stressing calmness doesn’t equate to weakness.
“If a player has these comments… then it’s about us as a club to react.”
Could Slot Have Avoided the Rift?
The boss suggested Salah’s reasons may extend beyond reduced minutes.
“If it’s only because he doesn’t play, the answer would be to play him every single time. But maybe that’s not the reason.”
However, he also issued a reminder that the club cannot allow internal disputes to spill into the media.
“He has every right to feel what he feels, but he doesn’t have the right to share it with the media… he has that right, but it’s up to us to react to it.”
Are They Still on Speaking Terms?
Slot insisted there has been dialogue — although not recently in any depth.
“Yes, we were. But it doesn’t mean we were always agreeing on things.”
He confirmed two conversations took place before the Leeds match but not after.
Monday’s message to Salah was direct and brief.
“I told him that he didn’t travel, but that is not a conversation in a room.”
Focus Shifts to Inter — But Salah Cloud Remains
Slot repeatedly attempted to refocus attention on the looming Champions League test:
“We are sitting here before a big game. The most thoughts I had are about tomorrow.”
Liverpool need a strong result in Milan to strengthen their European progression, yet the discourse surrounding their key attacker has overshadowed preparations.
Slot emphasised team unity is the priority — and that the Salah situation must not derail that focus.
The Bottom Line
- Salah made shock post-match comments after 3-3 Leeds draw
- Slot benched him for tactical reasons, not disciplinary ones
- Salah’s exclusion from Inter trip is the club’s response to his remarks
- Relationship not irreparable — but currently strained
- Slot unclear if Salah will feature again or stay beyond this saga
Liverpool’s clash with Inter now carries double significance: not only Champions League stakes — but the first chapter in what could become one of the most dramatic turning points in Salah’s Anfield career.
