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There’s not much point in speculating what the main topic of conversation will be in Arne Slot’s pre-match press conference on Monday.
Since the Liverpool head coach last spoke publicly, he will have been briefed on Mohamed Salah’s bombshell interview at Elland Road. Perhaps he even read the full quotes, or listened back to the recording taken by an aghast press officer after the 3-3 draw against Leeds United
Either way, Slot will now be preparing for a deluge of questions on what comes next for the man whose goals guided Liverpool to a record-equalling title just months ago. The answers may not be pretty.
After all, Salah has publicly questioned the authority of the boss and created an unnecessary media saga for Slot to contend with.
That will come to a head at the San Siro on Monday. Slot is due to hold his pre-match press conference before the Inter Milan game at 18:45 GMT (12:45 ET/9:45PT).
It’s rare for a media briefing, which can often be dull affairs, to be so eagerly anticipated. Inevitably, Slot’s words, tone and body language will be over-analysed.
He will be joined by a member of the Liverpool squad to conduct media duties in Italy. The identity of the player will be confirmed on Monday, but he will also offer an insight into the reaction of the squad to Salah’s remarkable claims.
Monday’s open training session will also be worth monitoring to see how the Liverpool squad interacts with Salah.
There is a chance the Egyptian will be left out of that session altogether, which would create another layer of intrigue and drama.
Monday’s training will be held at the AXA Training Centre at 11:45 GMT (6:45 ET/3:45PT) and, like the press conference, will be broadcast live on Liverpool’s club channels.
Meanwhile, Inter will also hold a press conference and training on Monday. The latter will take place at 10:15 GMT (5:15 ET/2:15 PT), while Inter boss Cristian Chivu and a player will speak to the media at 13:30 GMT (8:30 ET/5:30 PT).
The Italian side is in excellent form and has won its last seven domestic games, including Saturday’s 4-0 win over Como.
Inter has also won four of its five Champions League matches this season, but was beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid last time out.
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