Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that he does not want Mohamed Salah to leave the Reds in January, indicating that the current crisis could be resolved soon, even before the player heads to Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations with the Egyptian national team.
Salah had erupted in anger in the media and made statements against Slot and the Liverpool management after being benched for three consecutive Premier League matches, which resulted in his exclusion from the squad that traveled to Milan for the Champions League match against Inter Milan last Tuesday.
Since then, rumors have circulated about Salah’s potential departure in January, and Slot has tried to calm the situation before the Brighton match, which will be the Egyptian King’s last before the Africa Cup of Nations.
Regarding the Salah situation, the Dutch manager said, “Do you want Salah to stay? There’s no reason why I would want him to leave. The club has won many matches with him.”
He added, “I will have a discussion with Salah today, and what comes out of that will determine how things proceed tomorrow.”
Regarding his exclusion from the Inter Milan match, Slot explained, “We, as a club, and I as part of that decision, decided that Salah wouldn’t travel with us to Milan. I’m always in contact with Richard Hughes, the sporting director, and Michael Edwards, the chief executive, but when it comes to the squad, it’s up to me.”
He added, “That doesn’t mean I haven’t spoken to them. The decision regarding a player’s participation or inclusion in the squad is mine.”
It’s worth noting that The Athletic confirmed that Liverpool’s management, despite recent disagreements, does not intend to allow Salah to leave in the upcoming winter transfer window. They see him as a crucial part of the team’s future in the foreseeable future, making a reconciliation between him and Slot the most likely outcome in the coming hours.
