The private feelings of the Liverpool squad on the divide between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot have emerged following a key Champions League win
Most of the Liverpool squad are backing Arne Slot over Mohamed Salah in the row between the club’s head coach and talisman. The 33-year-old has played just 45 minutes of Liverpool’s last three Premier League games, with Slot trying to solve a disastrous run of form.
The champions have not lost in that period but have dropped points to newly-promoted Leeds United and Sunderland. Salah remained an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw against the former and followed that snub by ranting about his current situation.
He claimed there is no longer a relationship between Slot and himself, that someone at the club is trying to throw him under the bus and hinted his last game for Liverpool could be against Brighton this weekend.
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Slot subsequently dropped Salah from the squad that travelled to Italy and later beat Inter Milan in the Champions League. With the divide still present, the Daily Mail claim that sources close to the situation have stated the players are firmly behind Slot, perhaps even more so after the Salah debacle.
It has also been stated that a new tactical tweak made for that European clash, where Liverpool were deployed in a diamond 4-4-2, has the support of the squad, as they believe it brings the best out of several players while also getting lots of experienced names into the starting XI.
Slot’s handling of situations and man-management has been brought up as a concern, but his tactics and level of communication push things in his favour. The Liverpool head coach also has the support of those above him, with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes in Milan for their huge triumph.
As things stand, only one of Slot and Salah will be making an imminent exit, with the latter set to depart for AFCON after the Brighton game.
The Liverpool boss remained defiant in his comments on Salah following the win in Italy after fellow Dutchman Clarence Seedorf suggested he approach the 33-year-old first.
He said: “Clarence said that in his opinion [Mo and I should speak] and I said that is his opinion and I didn’t say anything about who should make the first step or whatever.
“It was his opinion and I am happy I can clarify that so the headline tomorrow is not what I have said. It was [Seedorf’s] opinion. Where I stand on that is that tonight it should be all about the players that are here.
“In the rich history of Liverpool, they have had many of these evenings, but after the season we are in, if you have an away win in this stadium against this team then it should be about the midfield or about Ibou (Konate) or the players who are here. They deserve all the credit.
“I can understand on Friday I will get a lot of questions about other things but tonight it is about the ones who are here.”
Some of those at San Siro on Tuesday were also asked about the awkward predicament involving Slot and Salah, with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk making his feelings clear.
He said: “It’s not up to me to say who should apologise. It’s [Salah] airing his feelings. The club has to deal with it and him as well.
“It’s a collective situation. Things between Mo and the club are going on and he is obviously not here today helping us get three points.
“I know Mo a long time. He is a friend. We have had highs and lows. We speak, those type of things will stay indoors. We have to brace ourselves and be against the outside noise.”
