Mohamed Salah has been left out of Liverpool’s 19-man squad for Tuesday night’s Champions League game against Inter Milan, increasing speculation about his future at Anfield. And he’s not the only notable absentee. The Reds are also without forwards Kodi Gakpo and Federico Chiesa, leaving them short-handed in attack. Despite taking part in a public training session at the AXA training center on Monday morning ahead of the trip to Italy, Salah was absent from the afternoon flight to Milan following his controversial weekend interview.
Express Sport understands that Liverpool have decided to temporarily exclude Salah from the squad, in consultation with head coach Arne Slott and giving his full support. The Reds are understood to believe that a short break from selection is in the best interests of the club, the team and the player himself at this time. However, it must be noted that Salah was not penalized by the club, as the decision only concerned team selection.
However, Salah’s absence is still quite notable, given that the absence of Chiesa and Gakpo leaves Liverpool’s attacking options even lighter.
The 33-year-old has expressed frustration at being “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and claims his relationship with Slott has completely soured after being left off the bench for the third consecutive game against Leeds United last weekend.
Salah will only make one appearance, Saturday’s Premier League home match against Brighton, before he will represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
With the January transfer window opening ahead of Mohamed Salah’s scheduled return, he could already have played his final game for Liverpool if the situation cannot be resolved and it is decided that it is in the best interest of all parties to leave.
The Saudi Professional League has reportedly been keen to sign Salah for some time.
Without Salah, Gakpo and Chiesa, strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike and 17-year-old winger Rio Ngmoha are the only forwards with any senior experience this season, although Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirths could also be used in the front three.
Midfielder Wataru Endo, who missed Monday’s practice like Gakpo and Chiesa, is also not with the team.
This means the team will be joined by teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni and defender Welty Lackey, who has only made one senior appearance.
Liverpool’s 19-man squad will play in full capacity against Inter Milan
Goalkeeper: Alisson, Mamadashvili, Woodman
DF: Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkes, Bradley, Robertson, Lackey.
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Grabenbert, Nyoni
FW: Isaac, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Wirtz
