Romano reports, citing sources close to Liverpool, that a positive meeting took place between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot.
Fabrizio Romano has shared what he’s been told by sources close to Liverpool regarding a constructive conversation between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot that took place on Friday.
Salah was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their midweek Champions League victory over Inter Milan following his angry reaction last weekend. However, Slot told the media on Friday morning that he intended to speak directly with the winger, with the possibility of bringing him back into the squad for today’s game against Brighton. That plan was followed through, as it emerged on Friday evening that the No.11 would indeed be included for the Seagulls fixture.
Romano provides further detail on Salah–Slot talks
Later on Friday night, Romano expanded on the situation during an update on his YouTube channel, offering insight into the meeting between the player and the head coach.
He explained that the face-to-face discussion took place around 6pm after training, with those close to the situation describing it as a positive and productive exchange. However, Romano added that sources near the club stressed that not all issues have been fully resolved yet.
While the conversation was viewed as encouraging, there is still work to be done before relations between Salah, Slot and the club can be considered completely settled. Nevertheless, the positive nature of the talks is the reason Salah has been restored to the matchday squad for Liverpool’s clash with Brighton at Anfield.
Will Salah start against Brighton?
As James Pearce has pointed out, Salah’s inclusion today is a welcome sign, but it doesn’t necessarily mean questions surrounding his future have been answered. Whether he returns straight to the starting XI or begins on the bench for a fourth successive Premier League match will only be confirmed shortly before kick-off.
There is also uncertainty over whether Friday’s meeting represents a brief ceasefire before Salah departs for the Africa Cup of Nations, or the beginning of a genuine reconciliation that could put recent tensions behind them.
What is clear, though, is that even in a season where Salah hasn’t hit his usual elite levels, Liverpool would greatly benefit from having a player of his quality available for what promises to be a difficult test against Brighton. He scored the winning goal in this fixture last season during a 2–1 comeback, and repeating that feat today would be a fitting way to head into AFCON — and a reminder that his story at Anfield may not be finished yet.
