Arne Slot insists Mohamed Salah’s comments about his future are not a distraction ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday as he joked: “If I look at my line ups then Mo is more in than out!”
The Egypt forward, who has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season, caused a stir following Sunday’s victory over Southampton when he claimed that he has yet to receive a formal contract offer as he enters the final six months of his deal.
A frustrated Salah declared he was “probably more out than in” but Slot is confident the public comments will not have a negative impact on Liverpool’s fortunes.
“People told me about this but I’ve said many times that we don’t share this over here, at least I don’t share this over here,” Slot said.
“The only thing I can say is that if I look at my line ups then Mo is more in than out! That quote I can give you.
“I don’t think he’s distracted at all. I didn’t see it after the (Manchester) United game (in September) when there were some comments (from Salah) and then a post (on social media after the win over Brighton) that you told me about.
“After that he just kept on scoring. He’s just fully focused on the game tomorrow. These kind of things are for inside here in the media and fans talk about it, which is completely normal, but if you had been at the AXA (training ground) today, I don’t think any player talked about it.
“I don’t think there’s any distraction for Mo or the other players. Definitely not for me. I worked yesterday on preparing the team in the best possible way and this wasn’t for one time on my mind.”
Asked about Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher’s comments that Salah had been “selfish” by speaking out ahead of a huge week for Liverpool with games against Real Madrid and Manchester City, Slot added: “I focus a bit more on what else he (Carragher) said — he said Mo was one of the five best five players Liverpool ever had and I completely agree with him, which is not an easy thing as there have been many great players at this club.
“I don’t think it distracts Mo at all. Maybe it even brings the best out of him if you look at his performances until now.
“I talk to Mo about what I expect from him, like I do with all the other players, and he is in a good place at the moment. It’s nice we have a story in the media, you guys have some work now as well!”
Left-back Andy Robertson also insisted that it’s business as usual ahead of the visit of Carlo Ancelotti’s European champions. Liverpool have not beaten Real Madrid in eight attempts going back 15 years.
“Honestly, for us as players it’s nothing we can really get involved in,“ Robertson said.
“Mo didn’t look sad to me! Mo comes into training every day with a smile on his face. He’s in the gym and on the training pitch working as hard as ever. He’s one of the happiest people in the training ground. He enjoys every moment.
“He will be in the house now focused on tomorrow night. That’s what the best in the world do and Mo falls into that category.”
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
