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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been removed from the club’s squad for their Champions League clash with Inter Milan following his dramatic and public criticism of manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool confirmed on Monday that Salah would not travel to Italy for the tie at the San Siro, despite the 33-year-old taking part in first-team training earlier in the day.
The decision comes just days after Salah launched an outspoken attack on his treatment at the club, saying he felt “thrown under the bus” and claiming his relationship with Slot had completely broken down.
The forward had been left out of the starting line-up for a third consecutive match during Saturday’s chaotic 3-3 draw with Leeds and was not even brought on as a substitute — a situation that appeared to push the club’s highest-paid player to breaking point.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship,” Salah told reporters.
“I don’t know why, but it feels like someone doesn’t want me at the club. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.”
Although no formal disciplinary action has been announced, it is understood that the decision to exclude Salah from the squad has the full backing of Slot.
The move is reportedly viewed internally as the best outcome for all sides, allowing tensions to cool after the timing and tone of Salah’s remarks.
The episode has fuelled fresh speculation about Salah’s future, with Liverpool now expected to consider potential offers in the January transfer window. The forward has been consistently linked with moves to the Saudi Pro League in recent seasons.
After Liverpool’s Premier League match against Brighton next weekend, Salah is due to depart to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Once regarded as one of the most lethal forwards in world football, Salah’s influence has dipped sharply during a turbulent campaign for Liverpool, who currently sit ninth in the Premier League table.
Despite being the club’s third-highest goalscorer of all time with 250 goals in 420 matches since arriving from Roma in 2017, Salah has managed just four league goals in 13 appearances this season.
The winger has not scored since early November and last started a match during a heavy Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven on November 26.
Earlier benchings in Europe against Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt hinted already at Slot’s growing frustration with his form and work rate.
His comments over the weekend have been seen as a direct challenge to the manager’s authority at a time when Liverpool are struggling for consistency, having recorded only four wins in their last 15 outings.
Salah’s absence further complicates matters for Slot, with Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Wataru Endo also ruled out through injury, leaving the Dutchman to travel with only 19 players.
Slot and goalkeeper Alisson Becker are scheduled to face the media at the San Siro ahead of Tuesday’s high-profile encounter.
