Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah
Liverpool FC head coach Arne Slot is set to have the final say on whether Mohamed Salah returns to the squad, with the decision hinging on the outcome of a planned conversation between the two.
The Egypt international was not included in the squad for the Champions League match against Inter Milan.
This follows comments made by Salah where he suggested his relationship with the Dutchman had broken down, stated he had been “thrown under the bus” regarding recent results, and hinted that Saturday's match against Brighton could be his final appearance at Anfield.
The initial decision to omit the player was made after talks involving Slot, sporting director Richard Hughes, and other members of the club hierarchy.
While Slot and Hughes are scheduled to speak again, the final determination on Salah's inclusion rests with the head coach.
Liverpool FC is one of England's most successful clubs. Credit: PA
Despite the recent public conflict, Slot has stated he has “no reason not wanting him to stay”.
However, he suggested that some form of conciliation from Salah would be necessary for him to be reintegrated into the team for what could be his final game before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
"I will have a conversation with Mo this morning, and the outcome of that conversation determines how it will look tomorrow," said Slot.
Slot added that there had been extensive communication over the past week: “We have spoken a lot in the last week after the Sunderland game.
"There were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, our representatives and him, between him and me, and today I will speak to him again.”
On the Inter Milan match decision, Slot said: "I think we decided as a club - and I was part of that decision - not to take him to Inter Milan."
He reaffirmed his control over the squad selection, stating the decision on the line-up or squad is “entirely up to me.”
In Salah’s absence, the Liverpool team secured a 1-0 away victory against Inter Milan.
This result extends the team’s current run to two wins and two draws in their last four matches, none of which have featured the Egyptian in the starting line-up.