Arne Slot questioned how best to approach the heated Mohamed Salah situation, with concerns that the dispute will take focus away from Liverpool's impressive win over Inter.
Dominik Szoboszlai's late penalty secured a much-needed 1-0 victory at San Siro on Tuesday, though much of the pre-match discussion surrounded the Liverpool boss and Salah.
Having been left on the bench for a third straight game in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Leeds United, the Egyptian winger's fiery post-match interview in the mixed zone left questions over his Liverpool future.
Salah suggested his relationship with manager Slot had deteriorated, and claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club in a hardly believable admission in front of the media.
Slot subsequently decided to leave Salah on Merseyside for the Champions League trip, but could not avoid an inevitable line of questioning over his star forward's outburst.
"It should be about what we've done over here. I fully understand that on Friday, in the press conference, all the questions will be about Mo," Slot acknowledged in his post-match interview.
"Everyone makes mistakes in life, but does the player know he's made a mistake? Should the initiative come from him or me? That's another question."
Salah was speaking after Ao Tanaka's last-gasp equaliser secured an unexpected turnaround for Leeds, who had seemed out of the game after Hugo Ekitike's second-half double.
His actions that followed the draw at Elland Road left Liverpool without Salah featuring in a Champions League game for just the third time since he joined the club in 2017.
"I separate these things. It was really hard for the players to concede in the last minute at Leeds," Slot continued. "We hardly conceded a chance, and it was really hard to take.
"That was already emotional, and what happened afterwards was emotional. 13 players were available that had Premier League or Champions League experience.
"You concede, and then a lot of things are being said. Normally, that affects players as well, because he's been so influential for the club and the players, so it's never nice when something happens to their team-mates."
Liverpool still managed to overcome Inter for their first away win in the competition without Salah being involved since November 2009 against Debreceni VSC.
"We were three points behind Inter, and if you want top eight, 15 is the minimum you need," Slot added on the result.
"The best you can do is win over here. They have a really good team. But overall, a good performance from us."
Saccdeiru
0
Fuck Arne Slot
Saccdeiru
1
Why do you always keep ISAK on bench,Arne Slot
adedefender
0
The only player in the world he has earned the right to start even when not inform is MESSI. Any other player shoud go to hell.. Pep benched KDB when out of form, he benched Aguero. They didnt speech to the press... I wanted Slot sacked, bit i stand with him on this one. Who does Salah think he is???? Rubbish..
No one deserves to start when out of form my brother - including your Messi. It's a big shame how Salah disgraced himself in public.
nahaceksy
0
Liv will never win trophies in future God Willing
the only trophy it will win is avoiding relegation
wepabltuy
0
The only player in the world he has earned the right to start even when not inform is MESSI. Any other player shoud go to hell.. Pep benched KDB when out of form, he benched Aguero. They didnt speech to the press... I wanted Slot sacked, bit i stand with him on this one. Who does Salah think he is???? Rubbish..
Ok, then all should be benched... very smart, replace Slot please
cincdimpsu
1
Salah played every single game for Liverpool last season. Slot wasn't a racist then right? Chiesa comes in, performes better than most players within a short while of coming im and still wont be given a chance in the next match, that's not racist right?? Stupid clowns everywhere...
cincdimpsu
2
The only player in the world he has earned the right to start even when not inform is MESSI. Any other player shoud go to hell.. Pep benched KDB when out of form, he benched Aguero. They didnt speech to the press... I wanted Slot sacked, bit i stand with him on this one. Who does Salah think he is???? Rubbish..
cincdimpsu
0
carragher is vry stupid he's the 1 who's influencing all these sort of treatment of salah most only mo salah score before Liverpool win a match when they he will call out Mo Salah when they win still he will call Salah he's nt in the sixteen he's still carragher still calling out Mo Salah what kind of hatred is that is he the only player in Liverpool let's think Abt he's glory days carragher be careful
You obviously don't know what you are talking about.. For as much as i dislike Caragher, if theres one person who praises Salah the most, its Caragher.... The player Caragher has called out the most and opening suggested he had been benched wa Wirtz. What is Salah playing currently? Shit. Even Pep benched Aguero and KDB when not inform and they didnt come out to the press. Who does Salah think he is?
Yatadlopsz
0
carragher is vry stupid he's the 1 who's influencing all these sort of treatment of salah most only mo salah score before Liverpool win a match when they he will call out Mo Salah when they win still he will call Salah he's nt in the sixteen he's still carragher still calling out Mo Salah what kind of hatred is that is he the only player in Liverpool let's think Abt he's glory days carragher be careful
pamacdnosu
0
slot is a racist
pamacdnosu
1
Salah is a world class player who has more trophies,than the so called legend who has never done nothing for Liverpool foolish Garragher, stupid disrespecting African players Ferdinand is far better than he is a true legend
pocabemoy
1
this treatment of Salah is not something new. this is a new trend with black players unfortunately. there is a list of players at man united that had this bad treatment. this is not the last we are seeing. Mo will rise. I'm not s Liverpool fan but against unfair treatment by those people
wewabelru
0
How can this stupid Slot win against Inter He is Liverpool Destroyer Don't believe this double minded people Sir is fucking
raeaostyz
0
Problems at home?
rascilsz
1
Liv will never win trophies in future God Willing