Liverpool will face Inter Milan away in Champions League Group Stage Round 6. Liverpool manager Arne Slot attended the pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.
So why didn't you bring on Salah in the 3-3 draw with Leeds United? Your post-match explanation seemed not convincing enough.
This season, our team is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the opponents' tactics.
I'm not just talking about long-ball football, because opponents often use this tactic against us.
I have tried many methods, and that's my responsibility. Against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, our defense looked very fragile, so I decided to bring on another midfielder in the game against West Ham United, and we eventually won that match.
In the game against Sunderland, I substituted him at halftime, and then in the game against Leeds United, I decided to adopt a diamond midfield formation. I could have played Salah instead of Ekitike on the right flank, but I made the decision.
Has he played his last game for Liverpool?
I don't know. I can't answer that question at the moment.
Do you feel your authority has been challenged or weakened?
I don't feel my authority has been weakened.
Has this made your job harder?
This is not about me personally; it's about the team and the club's predicament. No one likes this situation. It's sad to see the hardworking staff being affected, especially when it impacts the results.
That's my main concern. Although I'm responsible for selecting the starting lineup, and of course the starting spot is important to him, I focus on the team, not myself.
"Being thrown under the bus"? Do you know what he means by that?
I have to figure out what he means by that. It's a difficult thing, at least for now.
Have you specifically talked to him about this in the past two days?
No, no one knows exactly what he wants to express.
So I think I'm usually calm and polite, but that doesn't mean I'm weak. When a player says something like this, our club has to respond. You see, he's not here now.
Do you think this is a frustrating situation for you personally? Do you think his frustration is because he didn't start?
To answer your question, if it's about the starting spot, then I think there must be other reasons for him to say these words, not just this.
If it's about the starting spot, I could indeed let him start, but I assume there might be more to it. He has every right to express his feelings, but if he has the right to express them to the media, then we also have to respond.
He said his relationship with you has broken down. Were you maintaining good communication with him at that time?
Yes, we were communicating. But that doesn't mean we always reach a consensus. In the two days before the game against Leeds United, I had two clear one-on-one talks with him.
What about after the game?
I've said this several times, but I haven't had a (long) conversation with him after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
I want to ask, did you communicate with him during a team talk in training or one-on-one?
Slot smiled and made a one-on-one gesture.
