Mohamed Salah has been excluded from Liverpool's squad for their upcoming Champions League match against Inter Milan, following an explosive interview in which he criticized the club and manager Arne Slot. The decision was made by the Liverpool hierarchy in consultation with Slot, with the club stating that it was in the best interests of all parties to remove Salah from the first-team picture for a short period.

Salah's outburst came after Liverpool's recent 3-3 draw against Leeds United, a match in which he was an unused substitute. In the interview, Salah claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club and that his relationship with Slot had broken down. He also expressed his disbelief at being benched for the third consecutive game, despite his contributions to the team in previous seasons. "I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season," Salah stated. "Now I'm sitting on the bench, and I don't know why".

The Egyptian forward, who has been with Liverpool since June 2017, suggested that next Saturday's match against Brighton & Hove Albion could be his last for the club. He revealed he had invited his family to the game, "in case it's my last for the club". When asked if his relationship with Slot had broken down, Salah said, "Yeah, there's no relationship between us. It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden there is no relationship".

The club, however, maintains that they are "fully committed to Salah and his contract, which runs through until 2027," and view the current situation as temporary. Despite the controversy, Liverpool are reportedly "not currently planning for the forward's exit, nor making plans to use the January transfer window for possible replacements". It is believed that the club hopes that a brief period away from the team will allow the situation to de-escalate.

Salah is scheduled to join the Egyptian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on December 15. He could be away from Liverpool until mid-January, depending on Egypt's progress in the tournament. This period provides an opportunity for both Salah and the club to reassess the situation and potentially resolve their differences.

The exclusion of Salah from the Champions League squad raises questions about his future at Anfield. There is reported interest from Saudi Arabian clubs in signing the forward during the January transfer window. It remains to be seen whether Salah will return to Liverpool after AFCON or seek a transfer.