Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been declared the definitive victor in his recent, very public disagreement with star forward Mohamed Salah, whose extended absence from the club has now begun with his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Fallout and Reconciliation
The dispute between the Reds' boss and their Egyptian talisman erupted after Salah claimed he had been 'thrown under the bus' by being benched during a difficult period for the team. The 32-year-old stated his relationship with Slot had broken down, leading to his controversial omission from the squad for the Champions League clash against Inter Milan at the San Siro last week.
However, following clear-the-air talks, a truce was brokered. Slot reintegrated Salah into the matchday squad for the Premier League encounter with Brighton at Anfield. Coming off the bench as an early substitute, Salah provided an assist in a 2-0 victory and was given a rousing send-off by the home supporters in what was his final appearance before joining up with Egypt for AFCON.
Why Slot is Seen as the 'Clear Winner'
Despite the surface-level reconciliation, former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison believes the power dynamic has shifted decisively in the manager's favour. Analysing the situation, Hutchison pointed to Salah's decision to criticise the club publicly as a pivotal error.
'I think the clear winner out of this debacle is Arne Slot,' Hutchison told oddsboom. 'The minute you bring the football club into the equation... you have to then face the consequences.'
He argued that Slot's decisive actions—dropping Salah for the Inter game, which Liverpool won, and then managing his return against Brighton—demonstrated authority that was backed by the club's fans. 'The Liverpool fans have shown who they're going to back – that's going to be the manager,' Hutchison added.
Uncertain Future and January Window Looming
While Slot himself has stated the matter is closed, telling reporters 'For me there’s no issues to resolve' after the Brighton match, significant questions linger over Salah's long-term future at Anfield.
The January transfer window presents a potential flashpoint, with persistent and lucrative interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia. Salah's contract situation and this recent rift have inevitably fuelled speculation that a mid-season departure could be on the cards, despite the player's enduring quality and popularity.
For now, the immediate focus is on international duty, but upon his return from the African tournament, Mohamed Salah will be under intense scrutiny to see how he fits back into Arne Slot's Liverpool project.
