Mohamed Salah has simple explanation for declining interview after AFCON heroics

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Mohamed Salah was extremely keen to speak to reporters after Liverpool's draw with Leeds earlier this month, but that was a rarity, and normal service has since resumed

Mohamed Salah during Egypt's win over Zimbabwe
Mohamed Salah wasn't keen to speak in the mixed zone after Egypt's win(Image: AFP or licensors)

Mohamed Salah declined to stop in the mixed zone after Egypt kicked off its Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a dramatic win over Zimbabwe.

Egypt was staring at the possibility of a shock loss when Prince Dube opened the scoring for the opposition in the 20th minute, but Omar Marmoush equalized before Salah won it in injury time. Liverpool forward Salah was asked in the mixed zone by the Daily Mail if he would stop for a quick chat, but responded: "Not now - it's the first game."

Salah's Liverpool future looked to be in doubt ahead of his departure for Afcon, but his appearance as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Brighton suggested he had settled his differences with Arne Slot.

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Alexander Isak's broken leg has further increased the likelihood of Salah remaining at Liverpool until at least the end of the season.

The Sweden international will be out of action for some time after limping out of Liverpool's win against Spurs on Saturday following a challenge from Micky van de Ven.

"It's going to be a long injury," Slot said of Isak during a press conference on Friday. "A couple of months. That's a big disappointment for him and for us."

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher gave his verdict on the chances of Salah staying at Liverpool as he appeared on Monday Night Football.

"I think for certain now Mo Salah will be staying at the club," Carragher said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, before suggesting how Liverpool might get around the issue of Isak's unavailability.

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"Harvey Elliott, there's a good chance he would come back from Aston Villa on loan as well," Carragher added. "And whether Liverpool go for a striker or another attacking player... for argument's sake, [Antoine] Semenyo.

"Liverpool have been heavily linked with [Semenyo] as well. I think we all know he's got a buyout close in January. Then you've got wide players in Salah and [Cody] Gakpo who've played a lot of games through the middle as well."

However, Slot made it clear that he is not planning to recall Elliott from Aston Villa – cutting off a reporter during a press conference before he could even finish asking his question about a possible Anfield return for the 22-year-old.

"No, Harvey is an Aston Villa player," Slot said on Tuesday. "He's supposed to be going there for the season. Any questions about him, the best place to ask is in Villa. They are doing really well by the way."


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