In a bombshell development, Liverpool has axed Mohamed Salah from their Champions League squad for the upcoming fixture against Inter Milan on Tuesday (December 9). According to noted French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, the decision was taken by manager Arne Slot after discussions with the Liverpool board.
This was on the cards after Salah's explosive interview in the weekend. The ace winger lashed out at the club and Slot, and minced no words in his statements. During the ongoing 2025-26 season, Liverpool have been on a shocking downward surge and Slot has been left with no option but to juggle his pack around. Salah, though, wasn't amused by the treatment meted out to him.
"The club made a lot of promises to me at the start of the summer but I have been on the bench for three games. So I can't say that they are keeping their promises," said Salah while speaking to Sky Sports.
"I had said it before that I had a great relationship with the manager but all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why. It seems to be like someone doesn't want me in the club. It is not acceptable to me. I don't know why it happened."
Salah had a phenomenal EPL season in 2024-25 during Liverpool's title-winning campaign. The Egyptian maestro netted 29 goals and provided 18 assists in 38 games, and often bailed the Reds out of crisis situations with moments of unreal magic. This season, however, Salah has looked patchy and has only four goals to show with two assists from 13 games. The lack of game time isn't helping either.
"I am very disappointed. I have done a lot for the club, everybody can see it, especially last season. Sitting on the bench, I don't know why. It seems like the club wants to throw me under the bus."
However, England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was highly critical of Salah's handling of the situation and felt that the Liverpool veteran was self-destructing with such statements. He also felt like the timing of Salah's interview was horribly wrong, given the club's recent form.
“He is absolutely destroying his legacy at Liverpool,” said Rooney on his own podcast. “It would be sad for him to throw it all away. He’s gone about it all wrong.
“Arne Slot has to show his authority and pull him in and say, ‘You are not travelling with the team, what you said is not acceptable.’