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The fallout from Mohamed Salah’s bombshell interview continues to dominate the media landscape.
The Liverpool winger’s scandalous claims that he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and his criticism of Arne Slot resulted in the Egyptian remaining on Merseyside when the Reds travelled to Italy on Monday. Salah’s absence created an unwanted prelude to the encounter at the San Siro and continued to stir debate in the aftermath of the 1-0 win over Inter Milan.
Since Salah’s provocative statement on Saturday, five Liverpool players have been asked for their verdict on the saga. We’ve rounded up what they all had to say…
Alisson
“I didn't speak to Mo about it. We spend so much time together, not so much away from the training ground, but there's a bond. I will speak with him, but that will be private," Alisson said during Monday’s press conference.
“It's not an easy situation. I've been playing with Mo since I came to Europe. He's a great guy, a legend for LFC. We achieved so many things together. It doesn't make me happy, but we have a big challenge tomorrow. Our focus is on that.
“I'm a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player,” he added. “I hope he plays for the club again, but that's a situation between Mo and the club.
“I don't think his goal was to disrespect anyone. He had the freedom to talk how he feels about his own situation. Now it's important how we react.”
Virgil van Dijk
“It's difficult, but it's a collective difficult situation that we're all in. Between Mo and the club, things are going on. He's not here today; that's the reality, but I don't think anything has changed in terms of our focus and determination," Van said on Prime Video after the 1-0 win over Inter.
“I'm not the one to speak if someone has to apologize. It's him airing his feelings for the past couple of days. That's something the club has to deal with, obviously, me as well.
“But the focus was there; nothing else changed. He trained as well. The reality also is that Mo is going to Africa (AFCON) soon. I've known him for such a long time, we are good friends and have been through highs and lows. We speak and those types of things will stay indoors as it should be.”
Andy Robertson
“A tough situation. We're talking about one of the greatest players to play for this club. I signed in the same window as him. Whatever has happened, happened. Internally, we're all together," Robertson told Prime Video after the victory over Inter.
“That'll be up to other people, it's not up to me [whether Salah plays for Liverpool again]. I love playing with Mo Salah and I hope to continue playing with him.”
Curtis Jones
“We always have [been behind Slot]," Jones said in the mixed zone at San Siro.. “He's human at the end of the day, of course, if we get beat in games, obviously it will affect him – it will affect us all in the same way that it affects the fans. He's a positive man; he always makes a change, the style of play has changed a bit. He's as hungry as ever, he's the same as us. He's in it with us, so we're there with him as well.
“Mo's his own man,” Jones added. “I can't speak on another man and his business. Everyone knows how much of a legend he is, so I can't really speak on it. The situation is not for me to speak on.”
Dominik Szoboszlai
“I’m very close with him. It’s nothing to do with the players. It’s him and his own choice with what he is doing with his own life and his own career," Szoboszlai told reporters in Italy after the game.
“It’s not our decision as players [if Salah stays]. I love him as a human being, as a friend of mine. As a player, he has done so much for this club; it’s going to be the club’s and his decision.
“What is in the dressing room stays in the dressing room, it is not for the public. “We have to manage it, we have to find solutions. I can always come up with the opportunity on Tuesday or on the weekend again, but there are also times where you have to look at yourself.
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