Tension rose a notch in Liverpool after Mohamed Salah’s explosive statements, delivered a few minutes after the draw conceded to Leeds (3-3) on Saturday. By publicly questioning the promises made by the club this summer and suggesting that part of the institution no longer wanted him, the Egyptian striker triggered a shock wave which immediately crossed the Mersey. The words of the player, already weakened by limited playing time since the resumption, set supporters, observers and even the Reds’ communications department in turmoil, taken by surprise by the abrupt exit of the 33-year-old star. Very quickly, the controversy swelled across the Channel. Some supported the legitimate frustration of a historic executive of the club, others denounced the disastrous timing of this intervention at the dawn of major deadlines. In this electric climate, rumors of internal sanctions and a definitive break between Salah and the locker room have only fueled a heavy climate around Anfield.
It is in this already heated context that the management of Liverpool decided to exclude Mohamed Salah from the trip to Milan, a decision perceived as a real turning point in this internal conflict. While the shadow of a departure hangs more than ever over the winger, coveted in particular by several Saudi clubs, all eyes are now on Arne Slot. Having remained silent until now, the Dutch coach finds himself at the heart of the storm, forced to speak for the first time on an affair which threatens the sporting and emotional balance of his locker room. His exit from silence was expected, almost inevitable: between the need to protect the institution, management of a historical framework and the desire to maintain the authority of the staff, Slot is now moving forward on a crest line. His positioning, his words and the way he chooses to respond to Salah could well determine the rest of an already chaotic season for the Reds.
Slot and staff very affected
Faced with the scale of the controversy and the growing media pressure, Arne Slot was ultimately unable to avoid questions about the Mohamed Salah case. Sitting at a press conference on the eve of the European trip, the Dutch technician appeared visibly tense, aware that his every word would be scrutinized and commented on: “ only Mo can answer this question. I can make a guess, but now is not the time. It’s difficult for me to say. We informed him that he was not traveling. This was our only communication with him. Before Saturday, the two of us talked a lot. Sometimes longer, sometimes less. That’s not how I feel, but he has the right to feel things the way he feels them. I hadn’t felt anything like that until Saturday night. I have no idea if he played his last match. I cannot answer this question at the moment. When I no longer play him, in general the players no longer appreciate the coach as much, but he has always been respectful towards the members of the staff and his teammates. He trained very hard. I was surprised by his comments. I have difficulty understanding what he means, why he says it and who he is referring to. Usually I’m calm and polite, but that doesn’t mean I’m weak. If a player gives these kinds of orders, it is up to us as a club to react, and we reacted as you can see: he is no longer here. ».
After recalling the importance of remaining focused on the match to come, he finally resolved to discuss the situation of his attacker, until then carefully guarded internally. Slot then delivered a measured but firm response, reflecting both his annoyance and his desire not to add further fuel to the fire: “ This is neither the first nor the last time that a player, when not playing, has made similar comments. My reaction is clear: he’s just not there. We’re sitting here the day before an important match and it’s only 36 hours since we conceded three goals against Leeds. Yes, we were on good terms, but that didn’t mean we always agreed on everything. I spoke to him twice, the week before, two days before Leeds. He was at the training ground and I told him he wouldn’t make the trip. It’s not spoken to anyone; It is, but it’s not a conversation. I won’t go into details.”.
But after all this hullabaloo, can Mo Salah be reinstated in Arne Slot’s group? This is the question that has been on everyone’s lips for several hours. And the Dutch coach’s response is rather clear: “ I am firmly convinced that it is always possible to bring a player back. I can leave it there. A discussion with Salah since? Yes, very short. I don’t feel like my authority is being challenged. That’s not how I perceive it. It’s not about me. It’s not very important in a situation like this. What matters is whether it is more difficult for the team or the club. It is difficult to see that the staff members are affected by the situation. Mainly because of the results, but also because of what it generated. This is not good for us as a team. I focus entirely on the team and not at all on myself “. By refusing to enter into the slightest additional justification, Slot returns the ball to Salah’s court and attempts to refocus the debate around his team and its immediate objectives. It remains to be seen whether this clarification will be enough to calm things down or whether it will only mark a new stage in a conflict which could well definitively seal the Egyptian’s future in Liverpool.
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– UPDATE
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