Everything Arne Slot, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson said about Mo Salah situation after win vs Inter
Tuesday night saw Liverpool leave the messy Mohamed Salah situation behind for 90 minutes, as they secured a crucial 1-0 away win at San Siro.
Salah was axed from the squad as consequences for his explosive outburst aimed on Saturday, which has caused quite a stir in the footballing world.
The Egyptian star has received massive backlash from the likes of Jamie Carragher and other pundits, however, majority of Liverpool supporters and even some star players from across Europe have backed Salah.
Liverpool went into the game without Salah, Chiesa, and Gakpo, starting the game with a much changed starting XI, with Hugo Ekitke and Alexander Isak starting in attack.
And they came out winners, although, the goal came from what was a very soft penalty, very late in the game.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been Liverpool’s best player this season, stepped up to take the penalty in Salah’s absence, scoring it expertly to secure the vital win.
But as expected the focus once against shifted to Salah, with the players and manager bombarded with questions about the Salah situation.
Arne Slot’s latest comments on Mohamed Salah
Speaking under pressure from Clarence Seedorf on Amazon Prime, Slot offered a measured but revealing update:
“You say everyone makes mistakes in life, so the first thing should be: Does the player think he’s made a mistake as well.
“I haven’t said I won’t talk to him. The next question is: Should the initiative come from me or from him? Now, that’s another question to answer.”
His comments suggest the standoff between Salah and the club remains unresolved and that responsibility for the next step is currently unclear.
Virgil van Dijk says he can’t speak on behalf of Salah
Captain Virgil van Dijk also addressed the issue but refused to be drawn into the details:
“Obviously, it’s difficult, but it’s a collective difficult situation we’re all in,” he told Amazon Prime.
“Between Mo and the club, things are going on. For the consequences, he’s not here today to help us get the three points.”
“But I don’t think anything changes in our determination in order to get results for this football club.
“I don’t think I’m the one to speak about if someone has to apologise for something.
“It’s him airing his feelings over the last couple of days. And that’s something the club has to deal with, and obviously me as well.”
He stressed that Liverpool’s focus remains on winning matches:
“If I look at the dressing room, Sunday, the day after, nothing has really changed. The task was that we have responsibility, not only to ourselves, but to the whole football club, and to all the fans in the world, to perform.”
Andy Robertson praises Salah and hopes for a resolution
Full-back Andy Robertson was full of admiration for Salah, emphasising his legendary status at the club:
“We’re talking about one of the greatest players to ever play at this club. He’s been unbelievable for us for eight and a half years.”
He added that the matter is being handled internally:
“Whatever’s happening, happens internally now. We’re all together, that’s the main thing, in the changing room.”
When asked whether the situation could be resolved, Robertson replied:
“That’ll be up to other people, it’s not up to me. But I love playing with Mo Salah and I hope to continue playing with him.”