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Steve McManaman has confessed he wants to see Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson have a word with Mohamed Salah to sort out the uncomfortable situation at Liverpool.
The 33-year-old launched into a furious rant following the 3-3 stalemate with Leeds, despite remaining on the bench throughout. Arne Slot then left Salah out of the squad that defeated Inter Milan in the Champions League just days afterwards, and it appears the matter remains unresolved.
Consequently, McManaman has insisted it requires immediate attention and urged two of Liverpool's experienced figures to intervene. "I think that's the important part in the coming hours and days," he told TNT Sports when questioned about how Liverpool resolves the matter.
"He leaves for AFCON on Monday, and they've got Brighton at the weekend. It would be nice if something is sorted out between now and Saturday."
He subsequently added: "It could be any of the players. He's got relationships with Virgil van Dijk for the last eight years, and Andy Robertson for last eight years. Everybody's close in that dressing room. I'd have a word with him if I'd known him for that long saying, 'Oi, this is not good for you, and it's not good for the team going forward.'
"This has to be nipped in the bud before he goes to AFCON. You can't have six weeks of everyone thinking about rumors and innuendos, 'What's this? What's that? Will he come back in January?' This needs to be nipped in the bud now before he goes because it will not do anybody any good if it carries on over the next six weeks."
Predictably, Salah dominated discussions following the match despite his absence from the squad. Slot delivered a forthright assessment whilst several Liverpool players also addressed the circumstances.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport, the Liverpool manager said: "Well, you say everyone makes mistakes in life, but the question is, should the players also recognize that as well? And should the initiative come from the player or me? That's another question.
"Ibou Konate has had some difficult moments lately, but he played an outstanding game [against Inter]. After PSV and Forest games, where we conceded seven goals in two games, it was time for us to concede less, and that's what we did against West Ham.
"Then we played Sunderland, and their first chance came in the 86th minute. Their first goal wasn't even a chance, and then came Leeds. We showed character in the second half and changed the tactics a little bit.
"There was a lot of things been said. Normally, that affects players as well because he's [Salah] been so influential for the club and the players, so it's never nice when something happens to their teammates."
Van Dijk, meanwhile, commented: "It's not up to me to say who should apologize. It's [Salah] airing his feelings. The club has to deal with it and him as well.
"It's a collective situation. Things between Mo and the club are going on, and he is obviously not here today helping us get three points.
"I know Mo a long time. He is a friend. We have had highs and lows. We speak, those type of things will stay indoors. We have to brace ourselves and be against the outside noise."
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