Liverpool is reportedly likely to leave club legend Mohamed Salah at home as they travel to Italy to face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League. According to The Athletic, a final decision isn’t too
far away and will be made by the club’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, ‘in conjunction with’ the ownership.
The step is being seen as the club’s hierarchy underlining their support for manager Arne Slot, whom Salah directly attacked in his outburst to the media at the recent Premier League game against Leeds United. The unexpected rant stemmed from the fact that it was the third consecutive game he started on the bench and the second where he wasn’t even called upon as a substitute.
“I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season,” Salah told reporters at Elland Road. “Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. It is very clear that someone wants me to take the blame,” he added.
A club legend, Salah netted 34 goals and provided 23 assists in all competitions last year, helping the Merseyside club win the Premier League. Soon, he rejected lucrative contracts from Saudi Arabia and signed a new, reportedly expensive two-year contract extension.
However, his form took a nose-dive this season.
“I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games, so I can’t say they keep the promise. I always had a good relationship with the manager, and suddenly, we don’t have any relationship. It seems someone doesn’t want me at the club,” he said.
Salah has continued to train with the team and the report said Liverpool is still committed to his contract and has left the room open for a turnaround. They don’t see leaving him out for a crucial match in the UCL as a ‘disciplinary’ action either, and want it to be noted in isolation.
Salah will join up with the Egypt squad in Morocco on December 15 for the Africa Cup of Nations. Media reports in January haven’t ruled out a January departure for the superstar.
