Liverpool leaves Salah out of Inter Milan match

Liverpool have omitted Mohamed Salah from the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League tie at Inter Milan after the Egypt international gave an explosive interview on Saturday, claiming he was thrown under the bus by the club.

Sources told BBC Sport the decision, backed by manager Arne Slot, is intended to give Salah a brief period away from selection given the nature and timing of his public comments. No formal disciplinary action is expected.

The 33‑year‑old is also set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday and is likely to miss Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Brighton on Saturday.

Salah’s interview came after he was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 3‑3 draw with Leeds United – his third consecutive bench appearance. He had featured as a substitute in draws at Sunderland and a win at West Ham, but started only in the 4‑1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League group stage.

His last goal came in a 2‑0 victory over Aston Villa on 1 November, and he has scored five goals in 18 Premier League and Champions League outings this season.

Overall, Salah boasts 250 goals in 420 appearances for Liverpool, including 29 top‑flight strikes in the 2024‑25 campaign that helped the Reds clinch the Premier League title last season. He renewed his contract for two more years in April.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney, now a pundit for BBC Sport, warned that Salah is jeopardising his legacy and suggested Slot should keep him out of the Italy match and the upcoming Brighton game.

“In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now,” Salah said on Saturday. “I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to Africa Cup of Nations. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”

Ghanaian fans, many of whom follow the Premier League closely, will watch the developments closely, as Salah’s fate could influence how other African stars, such as Ghana’s own Thomas Partey, are managed when disciplinary issues arise.

Slot is expected to address the squad at a news conference alongside goalkeeper Alisson Becker at 18:45 GMT on Monday, with further updates likely after the Milan match.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE