Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is unhappy with the Mohamed Salah situation but plans to have a private chat with the winger
Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, has become the first player to address Mohamed Salah’s comments following the winger’s explosive interview on Saturday.
The Brazilian shot stopper revealed he’s not yet spoken to the Liverpool winger and is determined to concentrate on the Champions League clash with Inter Milan, despite his dissatisfaction with the current situation.
Salah, who accused Liverpool of “throwing him under the bus” and claimed that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot was non-existent, was left out of the squad for the upcoming match against Inter Milan.
Although Salah trained with his Liverpool teammates on Monday, Slot informed him that he wouldn’t be making the trip to Italy. Slot, when asked about his conversation with Salah, simply laughed it off as a “short” discussion, and plans to evaluate the situation once Liverpool returns home.
Alisson, who shares a close bond with Salah, intends to have a word with the winger, but maintains his support for Slot as Liverpool’s head coach.
Following Slot’s press conference, Alisson spoke to journalists and was questioned about whether he had discussed Salah’s Saturday interview. “I didn’t speak to Mo about it,” Alisson said.
“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.”
When asked for his take on the situation, Alisson conceded that he admires Salah for his contributions over the years and is unhappy about the disruption in the squad.
“It’s not an easy situation,” Alisson said. “I’ve been playing with Mo since I came to Europe. He’s a great guy, a legend for Liverpool. We achieved so many things together.
“It doesn’t make me happy, but we have a big challenge tomorrow. Our focus is on that.”
Given how fresh the situation remains, Slot hasn’t yet engaged in an in-depth discussion with Salah regarding his remarks. The Liverpool boss confessed he was unaware of any relationship deterioration prior to Saturday evening, and wants to hear Salah’s perspective first-hand.
Nevertheless, Salah is due to link up with Egypt for the African Cup of Nations on December 15, leaving Slot with limited time to mend the relationship.
Slot was candid and acknowledged uncertainty about whether Salah would continue playing, though he added, “I’m a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player.”
The notion of Salah having already featured in his last match for Liverpool seems difficult to fathom, with Alisson hoping this represents merely a minor setback rather than a major rift.
“I hope he plays for the club again, but that’s a situation between Mo and the club,” he said. “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.”
Whilst Salah may have felt frustrated after being dropped for the third consecutive match, he maintains that he penned a two-year extension last season with assurances regarding his playing time.
Following his omission from the starting XI during a 3-3 stalemate with Leeds, Salah said, “Now I’m sitting on the bench, and I don’t know why.
“It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.”