Arne Slot Claims No Problems with Salah Following His Recent Comments

Arne Slot stated that there is "no issue to resolve" regarding Mohamed Salah, after substituting the forward during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday, just a week following Salah's strong remarks about the team.

Hugo Ekitike netted the opener at Anfield merely 46 seconds into the match, and Salah, who entered the pitch in the 26th minute, assisted the French striker for his second goal with 30 minutes remaining.

Following his bench role in the previous week's 3-3 draw against Leeds, which marked the third consecutive game he did not start, Salah criticised Liverpool for placing him "under the bus".

In his post-match chat with journalists at Elland Road, he also mentioned having no connection with Liverpool's head coach Slot.

He sat out the midweek Champions League encounter against Inter Milan, a 1-0 success for Liverpool, and faced significant attention ahead of the Anfield clash on Saturday.

During Friday's press briefing before the game, Slot noted he planned to discuss matters with Salah later that day, emphasising: "I have no reasons (for) not wanting him to stay."

After the Brighton triumph, Slot reiterated there is "no issue to resolve" with Salah, who delivered a corner that Ekitike headed in during the 60th minute.

"For me he's now the same as any other player," he explained. "You communicate with your players whether pleased or not with certain aspects, but there's nothing for me to discuss following the Leeds incident, post-match."

Slot verified that Salah's absence from the Italian fixture stemmed from his interview comments.

"Every manager makes different decisions... but he wasn't involved in the game against (Inter) Milan and I spoke to him yesterday," he added.

Deeds Outweigh Statements

"I think, as I usually never say anything about (what) we talk about, I'm not going to make an exception now, but I think actions speak louder than what has been said.

"He was back in the squad and when I needed to make my initial changes, I brought him on. And he delivered in the way every supporter, including me, would hope for today."

Salah, aged 33, who extended his Liverpool deal with a two-year extension in April, is now heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

His time away hinges on Egypt's progress in the Morocco tournament, culminating in the final on January 18.

The forward, rumoured to attract interest from the affluent Saudi Pro League, brought his family to the Brighton match amid ongoing talk about his prospects.

Slot chuckled at a query on whether this could mark Salah's final appearance for the club.

"He wasn't the only player who walked around the pitch thanking the fans, because the fans deserved a thank you from us," he remarked.

The Dutch coach continued: "Mo is going to go to the AFCON now, I hope he's going to do very well, and in the meantime we have to play here without him, with not that many players available at the moment."