Following a tumultuous week at Anfield, Liverpool manager Arne Slot is set to hold crunch talks with Mohamed Salah to determine the Egyptian forward's immediate future with the team. The meeting comes in the wake of Salah's explosive interview following the draw against Leeds United, which resulted in him being dropped for Liverpool's subsequent Champions League victory against Inter Milan.
The Liverpool squad is largely behind Slot in his handling of the situation, especially after the win against Inter Milan. Salah's absence from the squad that traveled to Italy, coupled with his critical remarks, has reportedly created a divide within the team.
Slot faces a critical decision regarding Salah's inclusion in the squad for the upcoming Premier League match against Brighton. This decision is further complicated by Salah's impending departure for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to commence shortly after the Brighton game.
The timing of the dispute adds another layer of complexity. With Salah due to join the Egyptian national team for AFCON, a "cooling-off period" might be beneficial for all parties involved. However, the question remains whether Salah will feature in what could potentially be his last game for Liverpool before the international break.
Despite Liverpool's recent Champions League win without Salah, his importance to the team is undeniable. The 33-year-old has been a key player for Liverpool, and his absence would be a significant loss. However, Slot has to consider the impact of the controversy on team morale and chemistry.
The situation is delicate, and Slot's handling of it will be crucial in ensuring team harmony and maintaining Liverpool's title aspirations. While some believe that Slot should have approached Salah first, the Liverpool boss has remained firm in his approach. He stated that he didn't say anything about who should make the first step.
Dominik Szoboszlai, one of Salah's closest friends in the team, said that the Liverpool dressing room will have no influence over Mohamed Salah's next move because only the player and the club can decide how their standoff ends.
Curtis Jones insisted the controversy had not affected the atmosphere in the dressing room and that Liverpool's display against Inter demonstrated the team remained firmly behind Slot. Jones believes “the mind-frame of the team has changed” since those damaging results at Anfield and Slot's tactical changes have also paid off.
The outcome of the talks between Slot and Salah remains uncertain, but the decision made will have significant implications for Liverpool's season. Whether Salah will return to the squad or be given time to cool off before AFCON is a decision that rests solely on Arne Slot's shoulders.
