Mohamedf Salah was spotted in Liverpool training on Monday but three of his team-mates were absent
Liverpool trio Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa were all absent from open training on Monday as attention focused on the presence of Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian did train with his Reds team-mates at Kirkby before they jet off to Milan for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Inter, but the three players were conspicuous by their absence despite all three being in the squad for Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United.
Forward Gakpo started the match at Elland Road before being substituted for Endo in the 83rd minute, while Federico Chiesa was an unused substitute.
Despite taking part in Monday’s session, The Athletic report that Salah is not expected to feature for Liverpool in Italy after his weekend outburst over his treatment from Arne Slot following three successive absences from the starting XI.
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Should Gakpo and Chiesa miss the trip to Inter, along with Salah, Liverpool will be left extremely light in attacking resources, with only Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and youngster Rio Ngumoha available to call upon as conventional attackers.
Jeremie Frimpong, who has started on the right of Liverpool’s attack this season when Salah has been left out, is still absent with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool will name their travelling squad for the Inter Milan clash later on Monday afternoon before Slot will face a press conference at the San Siro this evening, when the Reds boss is certain to face several questions about the future of Salah, who called his own future at the club into question with his words after the draw with Leeds.
“I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” said Salah. “That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think. I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.
“That’s how I feel (about) it. Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.
“I used to have a good relationship (with Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why. Seems like someone does not want me in the club. I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game.
“It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it. I am just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.
“It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else,every club would protect its players. Now it’s: ‘Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team.'”
