Arne Slot claimed he had no outstanding issues with Mohamed Salah and would see the Egypt international after the Africa Cup of Nations following the forward’s positive return for Liverpool against Brighton.
Salah was reintroduced to the Liverpool side as a 26th-minute substitute having been omitted from the Champions League win at Inter over the incendiary interview he gave at Elland Road last Saturday. Slot refused to divulge details of the conversation that led to Salah being restored to the squad on Friday but insisted that, as far as he was concerned, the matter was resolved. Talks are expected, however, between the Liverpool hierarchy and Salah’s representative while the forward is away on Afcon duty.
“For me there’s no issues to resolve,” said the Liverpool head coach. “He is the same as any other player. You talk to your players if you are happy or unhappy with things. There is nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds after the game.”
Salah played well as Liverpool beat Brighton courtesy of two goals from Hugo Ekitiké, the second arriving from a Salah corner. Asked whether he expected to see the Egyptian in January after his involvement at Afcon, Slot replied: “Yes. He is a Liverpool player and when he is here I like to use him when we need him. Today he didn’t start as he did for a few games before but in the one-and-a-half seasons before that he started almost every game. He had the performance like you would want him to give.
“He was close to another assist, he was shocked to see Virgil [van Dijk] next to him in that long sprint at the end, he was close to scoring when Fede [Federico Chiesa] assisted him. He was a threat which is very important.”
Slot was pressed on how his conversation with Salah unfolded at Liverpool’s training ground on Friday. He said: “The reason he wasn’t in Milan was his interview and the question after that – and everybody has a different opinion – is should he be [out] once, twice, three times, four times, four months or 12 years? Every manager makes different decisions on that.
“He wasn’t involved in the game against Milan, I spoke to him the day before the game. I never speak about what I talk about with players and I am not going to make an exception now but actions speak louder than words and he was in the squad again today. When I had to make my first substitution I brought him in and he performed as every fan wanted him to, including me, would like him to perform.”
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Salah appeared emotional as he applauded the Liverpool fans after the final whistle. “He wasn’t the only player who walked around the pitch thanking the fans,” said Slot. “Our fans deserved that. Our players worked incredibly hard to keep a clean sheet and for the first time in months we had a bit of luck with that as well. We have had games where we have not conceded a chance but conceded three goals. Today we conceded chances but they didn’t go in.
“Mo is going to go to the Afcon now, I hope he is going to do very well and in the meantime we have to do without him without that many players available but the good thing is we play Saturday and again Saturday.”
Slot was again asked to clarify whether he wanted Salah to remain at Liverpool. “I think you already know the answer to that,” he replied. “What has been said between us stays between us. He was in the squad and my first substitution today. I never speak about what we say when I speak to Virgil or Mo or any other player.”
