Mohamed Salah Excluded From Liverpool Squad for Inter Milan Trip Following Public Outburst
Liverpool star forward Mohamed Salah has been left out of the squad traveling to Milan for the crucial Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday, following his extraordinary public criticism of the club and manager Arne Slot. The Egyptian international’s omission from the nineteen-player traveling party was announced on Monday, confirming that the club is taking definitive action in response to the controversy that erupted over the weekend.
The decision to exclude Salah, who trained with the first team earlier on Monday, was reportedly made by the Liverpool hierarchy in consultation with and with the full support of Slot. The club has indicated that the exclusion is a squad selection issue and not a formal disciplinary measure, believing that a brief period away from the first-team picture is in the best interests of the player, the team, and the club as they seek to arrest a damaging run of poor form.
The fallout stems from Salah’s explosive interview given on Saturday after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United, where he was an unused substitute for the third consecutive game. In his comments, the 33-year-old forward claimed he felt he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and openly admitted that he no longer had a relationship with Slot, signaling his deep dissatisfaction with his recent treatment. Salah is due to report for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt next Monday, and his removal from the Champions League squad, coupled with his recent comments, has further fueled intense speculation regarding his long-term future at the club, particularly with the January transfer window set to open soon.
