Liverpool FC is set to face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on March 5, 2024, but the squad will be without star forward Mohamed Salah. The decision comes after a tumultuous period for Liverpool, who are struggling in both domestic and European competitions. Following a disappointing 4-1 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in their last European outing, Liverpool seeks a resurgence against the Serie A side.
Salah has faced significant challenges recently, including being dropped from the squad for the match against Inter Milan. This decision by manager Arne Slot has raised eyebrows, especially given Salah’s prior criticisms of the team’s performance after a 3-3 draw with Leeds United. Following this match, Salah expressed his dissatisfaction with the club’s direction and the choices made by the coaching staff.
Manager Addresses Salah’s Situation
In response to the criticism and Salah’s exclusion from the squad, Slot addressed the media, emphasizing that the relationship between him and Salah is not irreparably damaged. “It is not the way I feel [that the relationship is broken], but he has the right to feel how he feels things,” Slot stated. He added that he was surprised by Salah’s comments, as he had not sensed any discontent from the player until Saturday evening.
Slot acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that players typically express dissatisfaction when they are not selected. He pointed out, “When I don’t play him anymore, usually players don’t like the manager that much, but he was very respectful to my staff members and his teammates. He trained really hard.” Despite this, Slot confirmed that Salah would not be part of the squad for the upcoming match.
Salah’s Response on Social Media
Following his omission from the team, Salah took to social media to share his feelings. He posted a photograph of himself alone in the AXA Training Centre gym, which quickly garnered over 198,000 likes without any accompanying caption. This image has left fans speculating about his future with the club.
Liverpool’s next challenge will be a Premier League fixture against Brighton on March 9, 2024. The team’s performance in this match will be crucial as they seek to improve their standing after managing only two wins in their last ten league matches.
Given the current circumstances, the club’s management will be closely monitoring both Salah’s performance and the overall team dynamics as they navigate the remainder of the season.
