Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he will meet with Mohamed Salah on Friday morning before deciding whether the Egyptian forward will feature in this weekend’s Premier League match against Brighton.
Salah intensified tensions earlier in the week after accusing Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” and claiming he has “no relationship” with Slot, following a third consecutive match in which he was left out of the starting lineup. The 33-year-old forward did not travel for Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Inter Milan, which Liverpool won 1-0. Instead, he posted a photo on social media showing himself training alone in the gym at the club’s training facility.
Slot, addressing reporters at his pre-match press conference, confirmed that the discussion with Salah would determine his involvement on Saturday.
“I will have a conversation with Mo this morning, the outcome of that conversation determines how things will look tomorrow,” the Dutch manager said.
“I think the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here. You can keep on trying but there is not much more to say about it.”
Slot also revealed that ongoing talks have taken place in recent weeks. “After the Sunderland game there were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, between him and me.”
Although refusing to give further details, Slot stressed that he has no desire to see Salah leave the club. “I have no reasons not wanting him to stay, and that is a little bit of an answer to your question.”
Salah is expected to join up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations after the Brighton fixture at Anfield.
The forward, who sits third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list, has won two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy during his time at the club. However, his form has dipped this season, with only four goals in 13 league appearances.
Liverpool, champions last season, currently sit 10th in the table after a string of disappointing results.
