Mohamed Salah Excluded from Liverpool’s Squad for Inter Milan Match

Liverpool has decided to omit Mohamed Salah from its lineup for the upcoming Champions League clash against Inter Milan.

Background on the Decision

The decision to exclude Salah comes in the wake of his candid remarks during an interview on Saturday, where he expressed feelings of being “thrown under the bus” by the club. He further indicated a rift in his relationship with head coach Arne Slot.

Sources have indicated that this decision has been made with Slot’s support and aims to benefit all parties by allowing Salah a brief hiatus from the team in light of his recent comments. Despite the exclusion, it has been clarified that no formal disciplinary action will be pursued against him.

Salah, who is set to join the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations next Monday, will also likely miss Liverpool’s upcoming match against Brighton.

Current Squad Situation

On Monday afternoon, Liverpool’s 19-man squad departed for Milan, with Slot schedule to address the media at a news conference alongside goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Salah’s recent absence from the starting lineup continued during the match against Leeds United, where he remained on the bench as an unused substitute. This marks the third consecutive match where he did not play from the start.

Recent Performance Overview

• Liverpool’s last game resulted in a 3-3 draw against Leeds, a match where Salah did not play.
• Prior to that, he was a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland and did not feature at all in a 2-0 victory over West Ham.
• His last starting appearance was during a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, where he also scored in a previous match against Aston Villa.

Salah has managed to net five goals across 18 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League so far this season. His overall tally stands at 250 goals in 420 matches for Liverpool, having significantly contributed with 29 league goals during the previous season, helping the team secure the Premier League title.

Originally joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017, Salah renewed his contract for an additional two years earlier this year.

Reactions from Experts

Former England striker Wayne Rooney has commented on Salah’s situation, suggesting that his recent remarks could jeopardize his legacy at the club. Rooney advised that Salah should be kept out of both the Inter Milan match and the subsequent game against Brighton.

In a revealing statement, Salah remarked, “I will be at Anfield to bid farewell to the fans before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations. What happens next remains uncertain.”

Analysis: A Potential Path Forward

Salah’s training session with teammates on Monday suggests there might still be a future for him at Liverpool despite his exclusion from the squad. The choice to leave him out was made with managerial consultation, affirming Slot’s authority.

Despite the circumstances, Salah maintained a positive demeanor in front of cameras during training. Although his comments raised speculation about a potential exit in January, reports indicate he is not actively seeking to leave. Furthermore, Salah is expected to remain with Liverpool until at least December 15, prior to departing for international duty.

Salah previously expressed his contentment at Liverpool, stating his hope to extend his stay beyond the eight years he has already accomplished. While missing the Inter match is a setback for him, there remains a glimmer of hope for reconciliation under Slot’s management, a topic that is likely to be addressed in the upcoming media session with the Liverpool manager.