Mohamed Salah has tried to put pressure on Liverpool to make changes after losing his place under Arne Slot.
Whether you agree with what Salah has done or not, the Egyptian’s comment after the Leeds United game had a clear goal.
The Liverpool winger’s interview was calculated and designed to make the club and fans pick between Arne Slot and him.
Fill in the blank: Mohamed Salah will be playing for ____________ on February 3rd
However, it appears to have backfired on the 33-year-old, as the latest reports say FSG are backing Slot and Salah’s comments won’t decide the future of the Dutchman.
Mohamed Salah could be selected vs Brighton
Since then, the Egyptian has been left out of the Inter Milan squad on Tuesday, less than a week before he will leave Anfield for the AFCON.
After Inter, Liverpool face Brighton and Hove Albion in a Premier League fixture on December 13.
It will be the final game before Salah leaves to represent his country, and given how the situation has played out since Saturday, some may believe he will be axed once more.
However, despite conducting what was a scathing interview, Liverpool still seem happy to give Salah a chance to reintegrate himself into the team.
Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Oliver Kay said: “The murmurs from out of the club this morning have been that if he’s not on the flight to Milan, which we believe to be the case at the time of recording, then it’s a one-off thing.
“It’s not even being described as a punishment, but the talk has been quite diplomatic, I would say. Nobody’s saying that Salah’s bridges have been burnt and he’s finished.
“The suggestion is that he will be considered for selection against Brighton at the weekend, perhaps post the Inter game on Tuesday, whether there’s some kind of peace talks and some kind of resolution aimed towards getting some kind of normality before he goes away.”
Other clubs may not have put up with such behaviour, but the fact Liverpool are still willing to work with Salah is good news for all involved.
What’s your reaction to Jamie Carragher’s verdict on Mohamed Salah’s comments? 💣
“I thought it was a disgrace, what he did after the game. Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I don’t think it was. When Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he’s done four times in eight years at Liverpool, its choregraphed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage.”
Jamie Carragher on Mohamed Salah’s interview
Mohamed Salah has an easy decision to make
With Slot going nowhere for the time being, the ball is now in Salah’s court.
He can make amends behind the scenes, return to the squad against Brighton, and then leave to play for Egypt and give this situation time to blow over.
That is likely the best scenario for all parties, especially on the field where Liverpool are struggling the most.
Alternatively, he could remain out of the squad, spend the rest of December at AFCON, and then secure a transfer in January.
It would be a harrowing end to such a prolific stint, but Liverpool have given Salah an olive branch; it’s now up to him to decide whether he wants to accept or not.
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