Liverpool have announced their travelling squad for the match against Inter Milan in the Champions League, following the decision to leave Mohamed Salah out of the group for the game.
It’s been another difficult week for Liverpool, but one that can be eased with a return to Champions League action against Italian giants Inter Milan. The Reds have been battling with some more inconsistent results and performances to match those as part of a busy Premier League fixture list.
Draws with Sunderland and Leeds showed off the frailties of Arne Slot’s current squad and setup, while the issues away from the pitch have also grabbed the headlines. Mohamed Salah, who was benched for each of Liverpool’s last three games, spoke to reporters after the Leeds game to vent his own frustrations.
The winger claimed that he felt as though the club were throwing him under the bus for their poor run of form, while he claimed there had been a breakdown in his relationship with the manager.
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That has left uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future at Liverpool, with the possibility of an exit in the January transfer window appearing.
With his upcoming inclusion at AFCON this month, the Egyptian international could – incredibly – play his last game for the club over the weekend, but that’s if he is involved.
Liverpool have taken the decision to leave Salah out of the squad to face Inter in the Champions League in midweek, as focus shifts towards that game.
The Reds are one point off a top-eight place, which would guarantee them passage straight through to the round of 16, while avoiding another two matches in the knockout round.
Inter won’t be the easiest of matches, as they sit in fourth with four wins and just one defeat to their name so far in the competition.
“I see more similarities than differences with Chivu’s Inter,” Slot said ahead of the game, reflecting on the encounter with Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan in the past.
“Same system and almost all are the same players. Probably he brought a few things into the team himself, but the way they press high up the pitch, I see more similarities than I see differences with Inzaghi.
“It’s quite normal if you take over a team who reaches Champions League final there’s every reason to keep doing what you’re doing.”
While there is no Salah in the squad that has travelled to Italy, there is also no Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo, or Wataru Endo available – there is, however, a call-up for 19-year-old Wellity Lucky.
Liverpool squad for Inter Milan
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman.
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gomez, Bradley, Robertson, Lucky.
Midfielders: Wirtz, Szoboszlai, MacAllister, Jones, Gravenberch, Nyoni.
Forwards: Isak, Ekitike, Ngumoha.
