The fallout from Mo Salah’s controversial remarks following Liverpool’s draw with Leeds United continues as several Reds stars make their position clear
Liverpool delivered one of their most impressive away displays in their Champions League history on Tuesday as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 at the San Siro. Dominik Szoboszlai’s late spot-kick secured all three points for the Reds as some of the mounting pressure on Arne Slot began to ease.
Alongside a dismal streak of results, the Reds’ Dutch manager has been forced to navigate a significant rift with Liverpool legend Mo Salah. The winger hasn’t featured in Liverpool’s starting XI since their 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in late November.
Following Salah’s bombshell remarks after Liverpool’s 3-3 stalemate with Leeds United last weekend, where he suggested his relationship with Slot had deteriorated, the forward was omitted from the Reds’ Champions League squad for their trip to Italy.
READ MORE: Sporting director rules out Mohamed Salah transfer as Liverpool fallout continues – ‘Not my problem’READ MORE: Arne Slot faces major Mohamed Salah decision as Liverpool prepare for another absence
Recent Liverpool developments have seen one of Salah’s former teammates disclose his private conversations with the Egyptian superstar. Several other club stars have also spoken openly about the ongoing dispute.
Daniel Sturridge’s private conversations with Salah
After Liverpool’s victory against Inter, Daniel Sturridge shared his thoughts on the Salah situation. Sturridge confirmed that he had been in contact with Salah.
The ex-Liverpool striker, who claimed the Champions League alongside Salah at Liverpool in 2019, told Amazon Prime Video: “He is going to be watching at home wishing he was here, wishing he could have helped the team.
“In the moment, there is a level of reflection, because it is so raw now, and it is so fresh, it is hard to reflect on the situation. We are in it; we have all been through ups and downs.
“I think for Mo right now, I think he wants to help the team get back to where they have been, which was at the top. I think watching what’s happened, you want to be part of it.
“You’re at home, you’re sat there. This goes for players who are injured and players who are in this situation. The last thing you want to do is not be part of it. I think that is, of course, going to hurt him because he knows.”
He added: “He loves playing for this club, I know this. Mo has told me, ‘I love this football club. I don’t want to leave this club. This is where I want to be.’ He wants to be a Liverpool player, but he wants to play.
“I think they will have a conversation. I can’t speak for Mo, and what he is going to do, I don’t know how he is going to feel, but I think there needs to be another conversation between the manager and Mohamed Salah.”
Liverpool dressing room presents unified stance
Whilst the Salah saga might suggest to some onlookers that the Egyptian forward’s position is negatively impacting squad morale, the truth is that the Reds are maintaining solidarity.
Following the Inter victory, Andy Robertson expressed his hope that Liverpool could sort out their issues with Salah, whilst lauding the legendary winger.
“A challenging predicament. We’re discussing one of the finest players to represent this football club,” the left-back revealed to Prime Video.
“I arrived in the same transfer window as him and we’ve experienced countless peaks and troughs together. Whatever has occurred, has occurred. We’re all united in the dressing room, and you witnessed that today.”
When questioned about Salah’s future, he added: “That’ll be up to other people, it’s not up to me. I love playing with Mo Salah and I hope to continue playing with him.”
Liverpool’s match-winner against Inter, Szoboszlai, also defended his teammate. “I’m very close with him,” the Hungarian revealed.
“It’s nothing to do with the players. It’s him and his own choice with what he is doing with his own life and his own career.”
When asked whether he wanted Salah to remain, he continued: “It’s not our decision as players. I love him as a human being, as a friend of mine. As a player he has done so much for this club it’s going to be the club’s and his decision.”
Curtis Jones was equally emphatic in dismissing any notion that Salah’s remarks had altered the mood within the squad. “No,” Jones said.
“Mo is his own man. I can’t really speak on another man and his business,” he continued. “Everyone knows how much of a legend that Mo is. I can’t really speak on it. The situation that he has got, it is not for me to say.”
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