The current rift between Liverpool and Mohamed Salah has bitterly turned another twist with new reports stating that the forward will not even be in the squad when the club plays a champions league game against Inter Milan, on Tuesday. The move comes upon a stormy week of benchings, public outbursts and closed door deliberations on a high level.
The fact that Salah was not included in the starting line in three consecutive games made eyebrows lift, but relations have reached new heights following the 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday. The Egyptian star did not even come onto the pitch and later, he rarely criticized the club publicly. In an interview with the media, Salah told them that he believed he was thrown under the bus by the club and that there was an internal conspiracy to use him as the scapegoat to recent performances.
His remarks at once began internal conversation. The Guardian reported senior officials of Liverpool on Sunday to evaluate the fallout and decide on the position of the club going forward. In the meantime, the lack of clarity also led to even greater speculation around his possible departure at the January transfer window, which Salah himself recommended in his post-match comments.
Although he would be attending training with the squad of Arne Slot on Monday morning, later reports by RMC confirmed that Salah would not be in the traveling party. The forward had a training at Melwood, before the team flew out to Italy that afternoon, which further fuels the debate of whether it is a disciplinary decision, tactical one or a politically instigated one.
It is interesting to note that Salah has played a lesser role in the recent weeks. He has spent just 45 minutes in the past three Premier League games in Liverpool, which makes it startling considering that he was the player to reckon with last season. His 2023-24 historic campaign made him be the leader in goals and assists of the league–a record that had never been achieved. However, this season has been much quieter as it has only scored four goals in all competitions.
When Liverpool did not renew the contract of one of the most trophy-winning modern players of the club, it could be regarded as a turning point. It remains uncertain whether this will be a parting skirmish, or the start of the Salah Liverpool departure, but this will likely form the winter plot of the club.
