Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has addressed the escalating situation between teammate Mohamed Salah and the club, following Salah's recent criticisms of head coach Arne Slot and his perceived treatment by Liverpool. The Egyptian forward's future at Anfield has become increasingly uncertain after he voiced his displeasure at being benched in recent games, suggesting a breakdown in his relationship with Slot and even hinting at a possible January transfer.

Szoboszlai, a close confidant of Salah within the Liverpool squad, has carefully navigated the sensitive topic, emphasizing that Salah's future remains his "own choice" and doesn't directly involve the other players. Speaking after Liverpool's recent Champions League win, Szoboszlai's measured response indicated a pre-agreed stance, possibly aimed at minimizing the fallout from Salah's remarks. He stated, "It's him and his own choice with what he is doing with his own life and his own career," and added, "It's nothing to do with the players, I guess, so nothing to say about it".

Salah's outburst followed a 3-3 draw against Leeds United, a game in which he was an unused substitute. He claimed to have been "thrown under the bus" by the club and questioned his future at Anfield, despite signing a two-year contract extension earlier this year. These comments have reportedly surprised club officials, who believed Slot's decision to bench Salah was purely tactical. According to reports, Slot's decision to deploy Szoboszlai on the right flank was intended to make the team more defensively solid.

Despite the tension, Szoboszlai was observed sharing light-hearted moments with Salah during a training session ahead of Liverpool's Champions League fixture, suggesting that the squad isn't holding any grudges against the Egyptian star.

Szoboszlai also acknowledged his personal fondness for Salah, both as a person and a teammate. "I love him as a human being, as a friend of mine," he said. "As a player, he has done so much for this club". However, when asked if he wanted Salah to stay at Liverpool, Szoboszlai reiterated that the decision was out of his hands. "It's not our decision, as players," he stated. He clarified that only Mohamed Salah and Liverpool can decide how their standoff ends.

The situation has created a stir within the Liverpool dressing room, with reports suggesting that several players noticed a change in Salah's mood when he was informed about being benched for the Leeds game. While Salah's teammates were reportedly "braced" for a public reaction, they were still surprised by the extent of his criticism.

With the January transfer window approaching and Salah attracting interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the relationship between the player and the club can be repaired. The club's response to Salah's outburst will also be critical in maintaining dressing room harmony and ensuring that Slot's authority isn't undermined.