Arne Slot hints that he wants Mohamed Salah apology

Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, has acknowledged a tense relationship with Mohamed Salah following his decision to exclude the star player from the squad for recent matches, including the Champions League game against Inter Milan. Salah’s exclusion sparked internal speculation and public frustration, with the Egyptian forward expressing feelings of being sidelined and treated unfairly after being benched in three consecutive games. Salah described the situation as feeling "thrown off the bus," implying a significant breakdown in communication and trust within the team.

Slot explained that his decision to drop Salah was based on tactical reasons amid Liverpool’s inconsistent performances this season. Facing a fragile team performance, especially after matches against Nottingham Forest and PSV, Slot sought new solutions and adapted his lineup accordingly. He emphasized that the choice was not emotional but a strategic adjustment to counter opponents like Leeds United, who were entering matches with high confidence. For instance, against Leeds, Slot chose to start Hugo over Salah to better meet the demands of the match’s intensity and style.

Despite this, the situation created a challenging dynamic as Salah was visibly frustrated due to lack of clear communication about his role in the team and reduced playing time. Slot acknowledged that while Salah had the right to feel disappointed, the player maintained professionalism by showing respect to staff and teammates and training hard. Slot refuses to rule out Salah’s future at Liverpool but admits the current phase indicates a strained relationship requiring resolution.

This development comes at a critical time for Liverpool, as the team struggles with consistency and performance pressure in both domestic and European competitions. Salah, who has scored only five goals in 19 appearances this season—a decline from his previous standards—represents a key figure whose involvement and morale are pivotal to Liverpool’s success.