By Abdulmateen Wolimoh
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has assured fans that there is “no reason not to want” Mohamed Salah to stay at the club, amid ongoing speculation about the winger’s future.
Slot said he will speak directly with Salah today to discuss the situation.
The talks come after Salah, 33, publicly expressed frustration following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Leeds, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club.
He was also left out of the squad for the Champions League match against Inter Milan earlier this week.
Speaking to reporters, Salah insisted he had “earned his place” in the team and expressed disappointment at his recent lack of starts. The Egypt international has scored 250 goals in 420 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club.
Reaffirming his support, Slot told the media: “I have no reason to not want him to stay. I will have a conversation with Mo. The outcome of that conversation determines how things will look [on Saturday].”
Liverpool are preparing to face Brighton at Anfield this weekend as they aim to recover from a run of draws in the Premier League. Slot’s comments suggest he wants to resolve the situation internally before finalising the team selection.
Salah signed a new two-year contract in April, but he has been an unused substitute in two of the last three league games. His last start came in the Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven on November 26.
He last appeared as a substitute in the 1-1 league draw against Sunderland on December 3. The forward’s limited playing time has fueled speculation about his future at Anfield.
Slot declined to provide further details but emphasized that the conversation with Salah would determine the immediate plans. He also stressed that the club values Salah’s contribution and experience.
Fans and pundits are watching closely as Liverpool navigate this tense situation, with the weekend’s match against Brighton offering an opportunity for both the club and Salah to move forward positively.