Mohamed Salah takes part in Liverpool training as angry Anfield star appears for the first time since Leeds rant – but Arne Slot decision looms ahead of trip to Inter Milan
Under-fire Liverpool star Mohamed Salah took part in team training on Monday as speculation surrounding his future grows following his explosive accusations that he had been ‘thrown under the bus’.
The Egyptian, 33, has not started any of Liverpool’s previous three games and has been an unused substitute in two of them, prompting his bombshell rant after the Reds’ 3-3 draw against Leeds on Saturday in which he claimed he has ‘no relationship’ with manager Arne Slot.
Salah was pictured by Sky Sports arriving in his Rolls Royce supercar at the club’s training ground in Kirkby on Monday morning ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
All eyes were on whether Salah would participate in the team’s training session at 11.45am before their flight to Milan for their game at the San Siro.
But boss Arne Slot chose not to freeze out the forward and he was involved in the session as they prepared for the challenge of the Italian giants.
However, it remains to be seen whether Salah will fly to Italy with his team-mates and be in Liverpool’s matchday squad.
Under-fire Liverpool star Mohamed Salah took part in Liverpool training on Monday as speculation surrounding his future grows following his explosive outburst on Saturday night
Salah was enjoying himself despite claiming he had been ‘thrown under the bus’ by the club
Salah pictured arriving at Liverpool’s training ground earlier on Monday morning
Salah didn’t appear to be fazed by the noise, with the Egyptian seen smiling, while he also chatted with several team-mates, particularly Dominik Szoboszlai.
He had earlier been spotted walking out to the pitch with team-mate Hugo Ekitike and the pair were deep in conversation.
Salah’s astonishing rant came after Liverpool threw away a 2-0 and 3-2 lead to drop points yet again. This included shipping a 96th minute equaliser.
Daily Mail Sport reported yesterday that Liverpool bosses are still deciding whether to punish Salah for his outburst.
Salah had sought out reporters in the mixed zone after the game where he said: ‘I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think.
‘(I am) very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over the years, especially last season. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel.
‘Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.
‘I used to have a good relationship (with manager Slot). Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why.
‘It seems like someone does not want me in the club.’
Salah continued: ‘I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game (on Saturday). It doesn’t matter if I play or not. I’m going to enjoy it.
Salah was deep in conversation with team-mate Hugo Ekitike on his way out to training
The Egyptian claimed he has ‘no relationship’ with manager Arne Slot in the astonishing chat
Salah in training with Liverpool boss Slot hovering in the background
‘I’m just going to be at Anfield and say goodbye to the fans before the African Cup of Nations, because I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.
‘It’s not acceptable to me to be fair. If I was somewhere else, every club would protect its players. Now, it’s “Throw Mo under the bus because he is a problem in a team”. I don’t think I am a problem.
‘I am not fighting for my position every day because I have earned it. I am not bigger than the club. I am not bigger than anything. But I have earned it.’
During his appearance in the mixed zone, Salah, who will join up with Egypt’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations next week, refused to answer a question about interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
It has been widely acknowledged that Salah’s performance levels have significantly dipped in recent months, despite his protestations otherwise.
He has still scored four goals in the Premier League – only one fewer than their top scorer Hugo Ekitike – but by this stage last campaign he had 13 in the same competition.
With 366 goal contributions for the Reds as per Transfermarkt, there is no doubting that Salah is a Liverpool legend.
His glowing CV contains two Premier League titles and a Champions League but he would not be the first Anfield icon to suffer an awkward exit.
Salah has been benched for three successive games and the Egyptian is clearly not happy
Salah said he felt like he had been ‘thrown under the bus’ by the club amid their struggles
The likes of Michael Owen, Steve McManaman, and Philippe Coutinho all saw their relationship with fans break down amid their departures.
This is not the first time Salah has broken ranks either. He has done it several times since joining Liverpool in 2017.
Last season, Daily Mail Sport was on the scene in Southampton when he sensationally announced that he was ‘more out than in’ while his contract saga was ongoing.
The 33-year-old Egyptian was ultimately handed a new £400,000-per-week deal in April, but it remains to be seen what will happen next with his future.
