Mohamed Salah has been left out of Liverpool’s Champions League trip to play Inter Milan on Tuesday night following his criticism of the club and Arne Slot.
Liverpool, in consultation with Slot, have decided to remove Salah from the first-team picture for a short period but have not disciplined the 33-year-old for his outspoken comments. The forward will miss the game at San Siro and may also be absent when the champions host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Salah is due to report for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt next Monday and so could be away from Liverpool until mid January. That gives time for the dust to settle on his incendiary interview at Leeds on Saturday when he accused the club of throwing him under a bus and claimed he no longer has a relationship with the head coach.
[ Mohamed Salah says he has been thrown under the bus and signals Liverpool exitOpens in new window ]
The decision to remove Salah from squad selection was taken by the Liverpool hierarchy and has the full support of Slot. Liverpool believe a brief period away from the team for Salah is in the best interests of the club, the player and the rest of the squad as they look to correct a damaging run of form and results.
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Salah had taken part in Liverpool’s training ahead of their departure for Italy.
Salah was all smiles, most eye-catchingly speaking and laughing with Dominik Szoboszlai. Slot, meanwhile, could be seen watching the open session in the presence of a couple of his coaches. – Guardian
