Salah, who did not feature during Saturday’s 3–3 draw against Leeds United, walked through the mixed zone at Elland Road and delivered a series of blunt criticisms that have sent shockwaves through the club. The 33-year-old suggested he may already have played his final games for Liverpool and questioned Slot’s trust in him after being benched for a third consecutive match.

Ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan, Slot addressed the situation publicly for the first time. The Dutchman confirmed Salah had been informed he would not travel with the squad to Italy, adding that he was surprised by the winger’s remarks given their previous exchanges.

“We told him he wouldn’t be travelling with us. That’s been our only communication,” Slot said during Monday’s press conference. “Before Saturday we had spoken many times sometimes short conversations, sometimes longer ones.”

Pressed on whether their relationship has broken down, Slot said: “That’s not how I feel. He has the right to feel things differently, but I didn’t sense any issue until Saturday evening. Players don’t always like the manager when they’re not playing, but Mo was respectful, he trained hard, and that’s why his comments were a surprise.”

Slot attempted to explain his recent team selections, insisting tactical concerns not personal issues led to Salah’s reduced role.

“We’ve struggled with how teams press us and how they play long against us,” Slot explained. “We were too vulnerable against Forest and PSV. I tried different solutions. We added an extra midfielder against West Ham, and it worked. “I brought Mo on at half-time versus Sunderland, and against Leeds I opted for a diamond. I could have played him on the right instead of Hugo Ekitike, but chose the different structure.”

Salah was an unused substitute at Elland Road, and Slot said the player’s reaction to being left out of the Inter squad was minimal. “It was a short one,” he added.

Despite the escalating tension, Slot insists Salah’s Liverpool career is not over. “I’m a firm believer that there is always a return for a player,” he said. “There’s always a way back.”

Salah is scheduled to join Egypt for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations after Liverpool’s weekend match against Brighton, limiting the window to resolve the conflict.

Salah’s future at Anfield has come under intense scrutiny, with growing speculation that he could leave in January or at the end of the season. His recent interview has accelerated internal discussions at the club, while teammates including goalkeeper Alisson Becker have said they will speak to him privately once tensions cool.

For now, Slot and Liverpool must prepare for Inter Milan without their most influential attacker, as one of the most dramatic player-manager rifts of the Premier League season continues to unfold.