Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool legend, has been dropped from the squad for the crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan, sending shockwaves through the football world. This decision follows an explosive interview where he criticized the club and head coach Arne Slot.
The Egyptian forward, who has been Liverpool's leading goal scorer for the past eight seasons, was not named in the 19-player squad that traveled to Italy on Monday. Despite training with the team earlier that day, he did not board the flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Salah's exclusion stems from his recent outburst after being left out of the starting lineup for the third consecutive match in the 3-3 draw against Leeds United. In the interview, Salah claimed he felt "thrown under the bus" by the club and that certain figures wanted him out of Liverpool. He also stated that he doesn't have "any relationship" with Slot.
The club maintains that the omission is a "selection issue" and not a disciplinary one related to his comments, but it was decided in consultation with, and has the full support of, Arne Slot. According to Liverpool.com, the club feels that a period away from the first-team action is best for all parties. The club's swift action is seen as a move to support the manager and prevent undermining Slot's authority, who is currently working to pull the team out of a poor run of form. Liverpool has only won four of their last 15 matches, placing Slot's management under heavy scrutiny.
The timing of this situation is particularly delicate, as Salah is set to join the Egyptian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this month. He is expected to depart on December 15. Should Egypt reach the final, he will be unavailable for Liverpool past mid-January, with the final taking place on January 18.
Adding to Liverpool's woes, Wataru Endo, Cody Gakpo, and Federico Chiesa were also absent from the traveling squad due to fitness issues. This leaves Slot with limited options in the wide areas, with Rio Ngumoha being the only natural winger named in the squad. Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike are likely to fill those positions for the crucial match against Inter Milan.
Despite the current turmoil, reports indicate that Liverpool remains committed to Salah and his contract, which runs through 2027. The club is not planning for his exit or seeking replacements in the January transfer window, viewing the situation as temporary.
Salah has stated his intention to bid farewell to Liverpool fans in the upcoming match against Brighton before heading to AFCON. Whether this situation marks the beginning of the end for Salah at Anfield remains to be seen, but his exclusion from the Champions League squad undoubtedly raises serious questions about his future with the club.
