'I have no clue': Slot doesn't know if axed Salah will play for Liverpool again

Arne Slot has cast further doubt on Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool by admitting that he has “no clue” whether the forward has played his last game for the club.

- Andy Hunter

Mohamed Salah trained this week but was not welcome for the trip to Inter

(TIM MARKLAND/PA)

The head coach also insisted his politeness should not be mistaken for weakness after leaving Salah out of the Champions League game against Inter tonight.

Slot gave his first public reaction yesterday to Salah's incendiary interview at Leeds when previewing Liverpool's match at San Siro. He denied Salah's claims that their relationship had broken down and said only the Egypt international knows who supposedly threw him under a bus and wants him out of the club.

Salah trained yesterday for the second day in succession before Slot told him directly that he would not be travelling to Italy for the Champions League game. The decision to remove the 33-year-old from selection for a short period was taken by the Liverpool hierarchy in conjunction with Slot, and with the full support of the Dutch coach. Salah could also miss the home game against Brighton on Saturday. He is due to report for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt on Monday and could be away from Liverpool until mid-January, when Saudi Arabian interest in the forward is likely to be rekindled.

Asked whether there is a way back for Salah at Liverpool, who have the player under contract until the summer of 2027, Slot replied: “I am a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player. But that is not... I can leave it with that I think.”