Arne Slot’s full remarks on Mohamed Salah in his first public statement since the winger’s explosive interview.
Arne Slot has broken his silence for the first time since Mohamed Salah’s fiery post-match interview following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday.
Salah, who has been left out of the starting XI for three straight games, claimed his relationship with Slot had “broken down” and suggested that “someone doesn’t want me at the club” (Sky Sports).
The 33-year-old has also been left out of the travelling squad for Tuesday’s Champions League encounter with Inter Milan, even though attackers Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa are unavailable through injury and illness.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Monday evening, Slot spent over 10 minutes fielding questions about Salah. Below is a paraphrased summary of everything he said, based on Liverpool Echo’s reporting.
Everything Slot said about Salah on Monday
On whether Salah’s comments were aimed at him:
Slot said only Salah can answer that. He doesn’t want to assume anything and genuinely doesn’t know who Salah was referring to.
On whether he’s spoken to Salah since the interview:
Slot confirmed the only message passed to Salah was that he wouldn’t be travelling. Before Saturday, they’d held plenty of conversations, some longer than others.
On whether their relationship has collapsed:
He said he doesn’t feel that way, though Salah is entitled to his opinion. Slot hadn’t sensed any tension before Saturday — Salah had behaved respectfully, trained hard, and reacted professionally to being dropped. The comments caught him by surprise, but he responded clearly by leaving Salah out of the squad.
On whether Salah could feature against Brighton:
Slot said he’s focused on the Inter Milan game and that very little time has passed since the Leeds match. The club will reassess the situation after Tuesday’s fixture.
On whether Salah has played his final game for Liverpool:
Slot said he has no idea and can’t answer that right now.
On why Salah’s minutes have decreased since the PSV defeat:
He explained that Liverpool have struggled tactically this season and he’s tried multiple solutions. The team looked exposed against Forest and PSV, so he switched to an extra midfielder vs West Ham — which worked. Salah came on at half-time vs Sunderland, and Slot tried a diamond shape against Leeds. He admitted Salah could have been selected on the right instead of Ekitike.
On whether Salah disrespected his authority:
Slot said he doesn’t feel undermined.
On Salah saying he was “thrown under the bus”:
Slot said he doesn’t know what Salah meant. He insisted he may be calm, but that doesn’t make him weak. When a player speaks publicly like that, the club has to respond — which is why Salah isn’t in the squad. Salah is free to express how he feels, but the club must react accordingly.
On whether Salah has made things harder for him personally:
Slot said it’s not about him — it affects the team and the club more. It’s tough seeing the staff suffer due to the situation and the recent results. His concern is the team, not himself.
On whether he and Salah were still speaking before Leeds:
Slot said yes, they were talking, though they didn’t always agree. They spoke twice in the two days before the Leeds match, but had no lengthy discussion afterwards.
