Arne Slot has admitted he has “no clue” whether Mohamed Salah has played his final game for Liverpool, deepening uncertainty over the forward’s future at the club. The head coach left Salah out of the Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday, and the Egypt international could also miss Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Slot’s decision to omit Salah came after the 33-year-old gave an incendiary interview at Leeds, in which he claimed his relationship with the manager had broken down. Slot denied this, saying he was “taken aback” by the comments, and insisted his politeness should not be mistaken for weakness. “If a player has these comments about so many things then it’s up to me and the club to react,” Slot said. “We reacted in a way you can see – he’s not here.”
Liverpool have a contract with Salah until the summer of 2027, but his absence from two key matches – and potential renewed interest from Saudi Arabia in January – has fuelled speculation about an exit. When asked if there was a way back for Salah, Slot said he believed “there is always a possibility” but declined to elaborate. Pressed on whether the forward might have played his last game, he replied: “I have no clue. I cannot answer that question at this point in time.”
Goalkeeper Alisson expressed hope that Salah would feature for Liverpool again. “I hope he plays again for the club,” Alisson said. “We as his teammates and his friends, we hope the best thing happens for him, but as Liverpool players we want the best for the club as well.”
