Arne Slot is 'behind' Mohamed Salah's Liverpool exit as insider speaks

Mohamed Aboutrika claims he spoke to Mohamed Salah after his Liverpool exit announcement and says the forward's relationship with manager Arne Slot is behind the decision

Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot clashed earlier this season(Image: Getty Images)

Egyptian soccer icon Mohamed Aboutrika has suggested that, following conversations with Mohamed Salah, the player's departure from Liverpool stems from a strained relationship with manager Arne Slot.

The 33-year-old forward confirmed last week that he would be leaving Anfield when the current campaign concludes. Speculation immediately mounted regarding the decision, particularly given he still has 12 months remaining on his substantial contract with the Merseyside club.

Aboutrika, a former teammate, idol and close friend of Salah's, has now disclosed that he's had discussions with the Liverpool attacker since the revelation. Speaking on beIN Sport, the former forward suggested that Slot pushed Salah away.

"One of the reasons behind Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool is the presence of Arne Slot, because we've seen issues in the recent period," Aboutrika said.

"You, Slot, pushed the man away. Salah only had a two-year contract with Liverpool... Salah wants to work with peace of mind and enjoy the next phase of his career. Salah doesn't need any validation from Slot or anyone else."

Aboutrika continued: "I spoke with him and told him about the preferred destination to go there. My relationship with him is one of brotherhood and friendship.

Salah has struggled to find his best form this term(Image: Getty Images)

"I love him for the sake of God, and I will not use my relationship with him for work. I told him my point of view on his next destination. Salah does not need anyone to guide him or give him advice."

Despite clinching the Premier League title in Slot's debut season at Anfield, the relationship between Salah and his manager has been turbulent. In November, following three successive games on the bench, Salah declared he had "no relationship" with Slot and intended to depart the club after it had "thrown him under the bus."

Following face-to-face talks with Slot, the Egyptian star was reinstated to the squad and has since re-established himself as a first-choice starter. On Saturday, Salah squandered a penalty as Liverpool suffered a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

The defeat came after Slot hinted that the full picture surrounding Salah's situation had yet to emerge. "So what appears to be true, especially in terms of Liverpool, is maybe not always true," the Reds boss told a pre-match press conference.

"I think Mo has earned the right completely to decide whenever he thinks he should leave. And he's done so many things for this club. He has to make up his own mind, and that's what he did.

"After that incident you are referring to [at Leeds], which are incidents that happen everywhere around the world almost every day when it comes to football, you know what has happened afterwards? He went to the AFCON, and when he was back at the AFCON, he played every single game.

"So that's the answer to your question. The only one who can talk about it is Mo himself. So you are now making the assumption that he wants to leave because he was out for six days. But that doesn't have to be true.

"I would be surprised if there's not moment when Mo's going to share his thoughts about why he made the decision he made. It's not up to me to do that. It's up to him. And I would not go into all these assumptions, and I would be, how do you say this in English? I would be careful with assumptions, yes."