Slot declines to confirm Salah’s Anfield farewell against Brentford
With the Egyptian forward’s departure imminent and tensions evident since December, Arne Slot maintains strict silence on team selection while outlining plans for tactical evolution.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has declined to confirm whether Mohamed Salah will be selected for the club’s final home match against Brentford, a fixture that marks the Egyptian’s last appearance at Anfield before his departure this summer. The outcome of the Sunday game is critical for the club, as securing a single point would guarantee qualification for the next season’s Champions League.
When questioned regarding Salah’s involvement, Slot adhered to a policy of non-disclosure regarding squad details. “I never say anything about team selection,” Slot stated, emphasising that his primary objective remains ensuring the team is prepared to secure the necessary result for European competition.
The uncertainty surrounding Salah’s participation follows a period of public friction. The 33-year-old forward announced in December that his relationship with the head coach had broken down. This was followed by a social media post last weekend in which Salah called for a change in Liverpool’s style of play, a statement widely interpreted as criticism of Slot’s tactical approach.
Slot acknowledged the previous season’s struggles and the recent defeat to Aston Villa, which cost the club an opportunity to secure Champions League qualification earlier. He expressed disappointment at that result but stressed that the focus now lies on the final game. Slot noted that both he and Salah share the same aim for the club’s success, despite the reported rift.
Looking beyond the immediate fixture, Slot outlined his intention to evolve the team’s playing style for the upcoming season. He described a desire to implement a brand of football that he, the fans, and potentially Salah—should he leave the club by then—would appreciate. This follows an incident earlier in the season where Salah was omitted from the squad for a Champions League away match against Inter Milan.
