Liverpool found itself at the centre of a storm after Mohamed Salah was abruptly omitted from the squad to face Inter Milan in the Champions League — a move that has triggered one of the biggest internal flashpoints of the Arne Slot era. The exclusion came just hours after Salah publicly criticised the club, accusing Liverpool of mishandling his situation and undermining him during a tense period of reduced playing time.
The decision, though described by the club as “sporting,” has raised questions far deeper than tactics — touching on leadership, respect, discipline, and the fading contours of a once-unshakeable bond between Liverpool and its greatest modern-era forward.
Backdrop: Why Mohamed Salah Was Left Out
The build-up to the exclusion began after Liverpool’s 3–3 draw away at Leeds United, where Salah was benched for a third straight match. Frustrated by reduced playing time and what he saw as a lack of honest communication from the club, Salah gave a fiery post-match interview accusing Liverpool of “throwing him under the bus.”
He went further, saying he no longer had any functional relationship with manager Arne Slot. Despite training with the squad on Monday morning, Liverpool chose not to include him in the 19-man group to face Inter. The decision stunned supporters and pundits, given Salah’s iconic status and his importance in major European fixtures.
The club maintained that the call was based on “sporting reasons,” but the timing — immediately after Salah’s criticism — made the disciplinary undertone impossible to ignore.
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What Arne Slot Said About Leaving Salah Out
Arne Slot addressed the media with a controlled but firm tone. He admitted he “was surprised” by the sharpness of Salah’s comments, saying he had no advance warning that the forward felt so aggrieved.
Slot revealed that the communication with Salah after the interview was minimal. The only concrete message delivered to him was: “You are not travelling.” Slot described the exchanges since Saturday as “short,” signalling that there has been no reconciliation attempt yet from either side.
When pressed about whether Salah had played his last game for Liverpool, Slot replied candidly: “I have no clue if he will play again. I cannot answer that at this point.”
He did, however, stress that the omission was also influenced by tactical considerations, explaining that recent formation changes required adjustments in personnel — one of the reasons Salah had been benched in previous matches. Slot insisted he is “calm, polite, but not weak,” suggesting he would not allow public criticism to dictate squad management.
Implications: What This Means for Liverpool Now
Salah’s removal from the squad carries ramifications that extend well beyond one Champions League fixture.
• Dressing-room tension
Dropping the club’s long-standing talisman sends a shockwave through the squad. Salah’s stature — over eight years, 250 goals, and multiple trophies — makes this a seismic internal decision.
• Tactical disruption
Liverpool face Inter without one of Europe’s most prolific forwards. With other attackers either out injured or lacking form, Salah’s absence diminishes Liverpool’s cutting edge in a game of enormous consequence.
• Assertive message from management
By acting quickly, Liverpool signalled that no player, regardless of legacy, can publicly criticise the structure or leadership without consequences. It is a clear show of backing for Slot and his authority.
• AFCON complications
Salah is scheduled to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15. If he departs for national duty while tensions remain unresolved, Liverpool may not get another chance to mend the relationship before the transfer window speculation reaches full intensity.
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Future of Salah at Liverpool: A Clouded Horizon
Salah’s long-term future at Anfield now hangs in the balance. His relationship with the manager appears damaged, and his trust in the club hierarchy seems badly shaken. Slot’s own remarks that he has “no clue” whether Salah will play again will only intensify speculation.
For months, major Saudi Arabian clubs have been monitoring Salah’s situation, and the player’s age, contract stage, and now his public dissent give such rumours newfound legitimacy.
Liverpool have not taken formal disciplinary action, instead choosing a temporary exclusion — a cooling-off period rather than a punishment. But Salah’s comments, the club’s strong response, and the timing with AFCON create a perfect storm that could push his Anfield chapter toward an abrupt end.
What was once an unbreakable partnership between club legend and institution now stands on fragile ground. Whether this rupture heals or widens will define not only Liverpool’s season, but also the legacy of one of the greatest players ever to wear the red shirt.
