Arne Slot Draws a Line Under the Salah Controversy at Liverpool
There was tension, tough decisions, and plenty of noise. Now, Liverpool insist the issue is closed and the focus is back on the pitch.
Slot Puts the Controversy to Rest
Ahead of the clash with Tottenham, Arne Slot made his stance clear: the situation involving Mohamed Salah is firmly in the past. After weeks of criticism and a decision that saw the Egyptian forward left out, the Liverpool manager wanted to shut the door on the issue.
“Actions speak louder than words,” Slot told reporters, underlining that the message had already been delivered inside the dressing room. Salah returned to the squad, came on as the first substitution, and answered in the only way that truly matters — on the pitch.
Salah Responds When It Matters Most
Salah played a key role in the 2–0 win over Brighton, immediately after finding himself at the center of the debate. His performance was seen internally as the clearest possible response, easing any lingering tension and reaffirming his importance to the team.
Slot also explained that attention will now shift elsewhere, with the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon. “He has important matches coming up, so it’s only fair that the focus turns to those,” the Liverpool boss said, effectively closing the discussion around their relationship.
Absences Begin to Shape Liverpool’s Outlook
Depending on Egypt’s progress at AFCON, Salah could miss up to seven matches starting from Saturday’s fixture. That absence looms large for a Liverpool side currently seventh in the Premier League with 26 points, sitting ten behind leaders Arsenal.
The matchup with the Spurs comes at a delicate moment, with Tottenham just four points ahead of Liverpool in the standings. Slot will also be without Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez, although Dominik Szoboszlai returns to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Brighton.
Progress, Patience, and a Team Taking Shape
Slot was cautious when discussing Szoboszlai’s readiness. “He trained yesterday for the first time. We’ll see how he is today,” he said, leaving the midfielder’s starting role dependent on medical feedback and his own sensations.
As for Gakpo, Slot confirmed that the forward’s muscle injury will likely keep him sidelined until at least mid-January, while Gomez continues to recover from a hamstring issue. Despite a slow start to the season, Liverpool remain unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions.
“We’re getting closer to the team I want us to be,” Slot concluded. “There have been ups and downs, but that makes sense given the changes we made in the summer. It takes time.”
At Anfield, the message is clear: the controversy is over. Now, it’s all about momentum.
