Mohamed Salah seems poised to miss Liverpool’s trip to Inter for the Champions League clash on Tuesday, though a final call remains pending. The decision will be made by sporting director Richard Hughes together with the ownership group, signaling continued backing for head coach Arne Slot.
This comes after Salah, who trained with the group on Monday, told reporters on Saturday that he felt he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and suggested his relationship with Slot had deteriorated. The 33-year-old spoke after a 0-0 draw with Leeds United, marking the third straight match where he started on the bench and the second where he did not play at all.
Salah also left room for a potential January exit from Anfield, claiming he has been made a scapegoat for Liverpool’s struggles this season and that “someone does not want me in the club.”
Liverpool do not view Salah’s omission against Inter as disciplinary punishment; rather, it is viewed as an isolated measure not necessarily indicative of future selection, including for Saturday’s Premier League home game versus Brighton & Hove Albion.
The club reiterates its commitment to Salah and his contract, which runs through 2027, stressing that the current situation is temporary and can still be resolved. There are no current plans to move forward with an exit or to use January transfers to bring in a replacement.
Salah reflected on his contract decision, saying: “I’ve said many times I had a good relationship with the manager, and now suddenly we don’t have one. I don’t know why, but it feels like someone doesn’t want me at the club.”
Last season, Salah contributed 34 goals and 23 assists across all competitions, helping Slot’s team win the Premier League, before signing a new two-year extension through 2027.
When asked if he regrets extending in April given the recent tensions, Salah replied that it would be painful to consider, and he would not regrettably choose to leave, stressing his belief in the decision to join and to continue his career at Liverpool.
Salah is due to link up with the Egypt squad in Morocco on December 15 for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Expert take: Salah omission appears justified under current circumstances
Analyst Gregg Evans argues that decisions around Salah’s availability make sense amid the surrounding uproar. Liverpool must prioritize a distraction-free build as they seek to revive their European campaign following a heavy defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the previous month.
The topic is sure to dominate tonight’s media briefing. While a final ruling remains unsettled, excluding Salah from the Inter squad helps the team refocus under pressure and may spare Slot from further public scrutiny after an explosive interview.
Had Salah remained in the lineup, his mood and comments could have sparked another controversy, potentially interrupting preparation for Saturday’s home clash with Brighton. Removing him now could provide the necessary breathing space and time to regroup.
Whether this is a temporary tactical measure or a sign of larger tensions remains to be seen. In any case, losing a player of Salah’s caliber is never ideal, but the move buys the team crucial momentum ahead of a key league match.
Dec 8, 2025
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