Slot Plays Down Salah Storm as Liverpool Look Ahead to AFCON and a Crucial Run

Arne Slot Insists There Is ‘No Issue’ With Mohamed Salah as Liverpool Star Heads for AFCON

Arne Slot has moved to cool the temperature around Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool, insisting there is “no issue to resolve” between manager and player after the Egyptian’s return in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton. It was a statement designed to steady the ship after a turbulent week in which Salah’s explosive public comments appeared to place his long-term Anfield future in doubt.

Salah’s omission from the midweek Champions League win over Inter Milan, followed by his emotional post-match interview after the dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds United, sparked intense speculation. The 33-year-old accused the club of “throwing me under the bus” and suggested his relationship with Slot had broken down. For a player so central to Liverpool’s modern identity, it was a startling moment.

Yet, at Anfield on Saturday, Salah was back in red, back on the pitch, and back influencing games — offering at least a temporary sense of calm before he departs to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah returns, delivers, and makes his point on the pitch

Liverpool v Sunderland – Premier League- Salah

Salah’s comeback did not come in ideal circumstances. He was introduced from the bench in the 26th minute after Joe Gomez was forced off with an injury, cutting short any carefully planned minutes management. Still, the moment Salah stepped onto the turf, the atmosphere inside Anfield shifted.

His first meaningful involvement almost produced an instant assist, threading a clever ball through for Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine had time to shoot but instead hesitated, opting for an extra pass that allowed Brighton to recover. It was a small moment, but one that underlined Salah’s sharpness and intent.

Liverpool were already ahead thanks to Hugo Ekitike, who capitalised on Gomez’s earlier knockdown inside the opening minute. But Salah’s influence grew as the match progressed. In the second half, his quality from set-pieces told. A teasing corner was met by Ekitike, who headed home to seal the win and give Liverpool breathing space.

For Salah, the assist was symbolic. After a week of questions about attitude, commitment and relationships, he responded in the most familiar way possible: by contributing decisively on the pitch.

The Leeds interview that changed the tone

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion – Premier League

The backdrop to all this remains Salah’s striking post-match interview after the Leeds draw. Watching from the bench as Liverpool surrendered the lead twice, Salah’s frustration spilled over once the final whistle blew.

“I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame,” he said. “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship.”

Those words landed heavily. Salah went further, hinting that the club itself no longer wanted him. “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus,” he added. For a player who has largely avoided public confrontation throughout his Liverpool career, it was an unusually raw outburst.

Within days, he was left out of the squad for the Champions League trip to Inter, where Liverpool edged a 1-0 win thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty. Whether that omission was tactical, disciplinary or simply protective remains unclear, but it only intensified the sense of a fracture.

Slot seeks calm and draws a line under the drama

After the Brighton game, Slot was keen to reset the narrative. Asked directly whether there was still a problem between himself and Salah, the Dutchman was unequivocal.

“For me, there’s no issue to resolve,” Slot said. “He’s the same as any other player. You talk to players if you’re happy or unhappy with things, but there’s nothing to talk about after what happened against Leeds.”

Slot also praised Salah’s impact in more practical terms. Speaking to Sky Sports, he highlighted the threat Salah posed from the moment he entered the game.

“The first ball he touched, he almost made an assist for Mac Allister,” Slot said. “He was constantly involved. Pleasing to see, but not a surprise.”

Importantly, Slot reiterated that any conversations between himself and Salah would remain private — a clear attempt to prevent further public escalation. “What has been said between us will stay between us,” he added.

AFCON departure adds another layer of uncertainty

Even with bridges seemingly rebuilt, the timing is awkward. Salah is now set to leave Merseyside to join up with Egypt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on 21 December in Morocco. His departure will leave Liverpool without their most reliable attacking outlet during a crucial stretch of the season.

Slot acknowledged the challenge openly. “He goes to AFCON and that means for us another player down,” he said. “This is what we knew before the season started. Hopefully one or two players can come back from injury.”

That comment hints at the broader context. Liverpool’s squad has been stretched by injuries, and Salah’s absence will place extra responsibility on players like Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Ekitike. It will also test Slot’s ability to maintain momentum without his talisman.

Saudi Pro League interest still hovering

While Slot’s words suggest calm, the wider question of Salah’s future refuses to disappear. The forward remains a prime target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, where interest has been described as persistent and well-funded.

Whether Liverpool would sanction a January move is unclear, but Salah’s contract situation and age mean every transfer window now carries significance. His emotional interview felt less like a momentary outburst and more like the frustration of a player sensing the end of a chapter.

For now, though, Slot is keen to focus on the present. Liverpool return to league action with a demanding run ahead, starting with a trip to Tottenham before home matches against Wolves and Leeds close out the calendar year.

Results matter, but harmony matters too

Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton was professional, controlled and timely. Yet it was impossible to ignore the subplot. Salah’s presence, his body language, and Slot’s careful words all spoke to a club trying to balance performance with man-management.

The manager’s message is clear: as far as he is concerned, the issue is closed. Whether Salah feels the same after AFCON — and whether Liverpool’s form holds in his absence — may ultimately shape what comes next.

For now, at least, Liverpool move forward together. The noise has quietened, the points are on the board, and Salah leaves for international duty having once again reminded everyone of his value. Whether this is calm before clarity, or calm before another storm, only time will tell.