MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Liverpool coach Arne Slott said he was in talks with Mohamed Salah on Friday after his explosive outburst put his future at Anfield in doubt.
Salah said last week that his relationship with Slott had broken down and he felt “someone doesn’t want me at the club” after being dropped from three consecutive games.
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The Egypt striker was left at home when Liverpool traveled to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Slott saying he did not know whether Salah would play for the club again.
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Brighton, Slott said he was in talks with Salah and hinted the club icon could return to the squad.
“I’m going to have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome of that conversation will determine (the team’s) performance tomorrow,” Slaughter said at the news conference. “What I need to do is talk to him, and I think the next time I talk about Mo it should be with him, not here.”
Salah came on as an unused substitute in last week’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United and then gave an impromptu interview to reporters outside the pitch.
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“The club seemed to have thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel. I think it’s clear that someone wants me to take all the blame (for recent poor results),” he said.
Slaughter said the comments followed discussions he had with players.
“We spoke a lot after the Sunderland game last week (December 3). I think after the Sunderland game there was a lot of dialogue between his representatives and our representatives, our representatives and him, between him and me and I will be speaking to him again today.”
Salah, who has scored four league goals in 13 appearances this season, was dropped for the first time against West Ham United last month. He subsequently served as a substitute against Sunderland and against Leeds United.
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He won two league titles and the Champions League with Liverpool. He is also the club’s record goalscorer in the Premier League.
Salah, who is due to head to the Africa Cup of Nations next week, said last week he had no idea what would happen in his absence.
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James Robson at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer