Slot: "Salah Should Explain His Liverpool Departure"

Liverpool manager Arne Slot declined to reveal the timing or reasons behind Mohamed Salah's decision to leave the club, speaking to the media on Friday (3/4) for the first time since the player's announcement. The Dutchman emphasized that only the Egyptian himself is qualified to explain his departure, 12 months before his contract was set to expire.

Regarding the intense criticism he received from Salah in December during the match against Leeds, Slot responded: "Yes, I'm pleased with how I handled it. Looking back at the season, I think I made some decisions that could have been better, but I'm not referring to that specific issue with Mo. I don't regret many things I did during the year and a half, or a little more, that we were together," he explained.

Salah had been benched for three games in six days in December, when he accused the club of mismanaging him and claimed his relationship with Slot was non-existent. Nevertheless, the Dutch coach is not convinced that this incident led the 33-year-old to depart from Anfield.

"The only one who can speak about this is Mo himself. You're assuming he wants to leave because he was left out for six days. I'm not sure what you're saying is true. I would be surprised if there isn't a moment when Mo shares his thoughts on why he made the decision he did. It's not my job to do that. It's his."

"I believe Mo has absolutely earned the right to decide whenever he feels he needs to leave. He has done so much for this club. He has to make his own decision, and that's what he did."