Arne Slot Press Conference: "I'm a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player.”

by Steven Northover

In Arne Slot’s first press conference since Salah’s explosive interview at the weekend, the Dutchman struck a conciliatory figure as pressure continues to grow inside and outside the club.

Slot on Mohammed Salah - "I'm not going to go into details"

"Yes, we were [on speaking terms] but it doesn't mean we were always agreeing on things. I
spoke to him twice in the two days before Leeds.

Credit: Opta Analyst

Credit: The Times

“He was on the training ground today and I told him that he didn't travel but that's not having a conversation. I had that conversation twice before Leeds, one a bit longer and one a bit shorter. I'm not going to go into the details.”

Alisson Becker on Salah

Slot was joined by goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who took questions in both English and Italian, of the situation, the Brazilian said:

Credit: Liverpool.com

"Of course, we have a personal relationship with him. Myself, I have been playing with Mo since I came to Europe - one year in Roma and now eight years in Liverpool."

"He's a great guy, a great character and he's a legend for Liverpool FC. We achieved so many things together.

"Personally, it is not something that makes me happy but in football we don't have too much time stay moaning about any situation.”

Ahead of Inter Milan (A)

The Liverpool manager spoke glowingly about Inter Milan manager Christiant Chivu stating:

"We face a very good, strong team that is doing really well this season - in the league and Champions League.

"That has been a force in the Champions League the last three seasons. Twice they reached the final and once going out on penalties to Atletico Madrid.”

Squad News

Credit: @AnfieldIndex (X)

Arne Slot provided injury updates for Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo, who both did not travel to Italy:

"Federico is ill, so that is poor timing but not something you can do anything about. We're monitoring his situation and if he has an amazing recovery - that we and the doctors don't expect - he may travel tomorrow."

"Cody Gakpo, unfortunately, picked up an injury against Leeds and he will be out for a few weeks.”

Liverpool go to the San Siro knowing that a win could take them as high as sixth, and into the qualification for the round of 16 stage. Whilst a loss could see them fall to 25th and risk falling out of the Champions League entirely.

So even before Salah’s comments, Tuesday was an important match for the rest of Liverpool's floundering season.

However, with Salah’s words forming an ever darkening cloud over the club, anything other than win could seriously derail any chance LFC have of being able to salvage anything from an already catastrophic season.