Salah vs Slot: Liverpool torn in two as stars throw weight behind one man

Mohamed Salah’s dispute with Arne Slot has led to the dressing room throwing its weight behind one man, with Liverpool having been given a potentially huge problem to negotiate in the January transfer window.

The Anfield club was rocked last weekend when Salah claimed he had been “thrown under a bus” following a 3-3 draw with Leeds United in which he spent the entire match on the bench. It was the third time in succession that he had started as a substitute.

The repercussions were predictably explosive. The 33-year-old Egypt international was left out of the squad to travel to Italy to face Inter Milan in the Champions League, a match Liverpool won 1-0.

Liverpool’s dressing room has been split in two by Salah’s words, according to the Daily Mail, and the players have all stepped in line behind under-fire manager Arne Slot.

The report claims that Slot has the support of the dressing room and has even seen his influence over the squad increase over the course of the last week.

It adds that the manager’s status in the eyes of the board remains undiminished.

Previously, Virgil van Dijk had backed Salah, explaining: “Salah simply expressed his feelings. The club has to be able to deal with that.”

Slot faces new Salah headache

Slot may have cemented his status as Liverpool manager, but the club faces a looming new problem with Salah in January, however.

With a wedge apparently having been driven through the locker room by the incident, it appears that Salah has no intention of leaving the club, even when presented by a big-money bid from the Saudi Pro League. The Sun reports that he has no intention of departing.

Al-Hilal are thought to be monitoring his situation, but a January move is said to be highly unlikely.

Slot, therefore, faces the challenge of reintegrating Salah into the Liverpool squad when he returns from AFCON. Although he enjoys legendary status at the club, it appears that he has overplayed his hand on this occasion and faces a battle to regain his reputation amongst the current squad.

Related stories:

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Liverpool signing ‘ANGERED’ Salah: Reasons behind Mo’s rage revealed

Mohamed Salah’s turbulent final chapter at Liverpool: How a nine-year story unravelled

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