Liverpool’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro should have been a night of celebration and relief. Instead, the conversation following the match continued to revolve around the club’s most dominant storyline in recent days: the increasingly tense standoff between Mohamed Salah and the club’s hierarchy — particularly new manager Arne Slot. With the Egyptian star left out of the traveling squad after a dramatic interview accusing Liverpool of betrayal, the situation has become one of the most delicate off-field crises the club has faced in years.

Virgil van Dijk, wearing the captain’s armband and acting as a senior leader in the midst of the unrest, was forced once again to answer for the absence of his long-time teammate. Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, the Dutch defender acknowledged the complexity surrounding Salah’s situation. He explained that while the player’s public comments had caused disruption, the squad’s focus remained unchanged. “It’s difficult, but it’s a collective difficult situation that we’re all in,” Van Dijk said, hinting that problems between Salah and the club go far beyond what has already surfaced publicly.

He refused to fan the flames further, stressing that internal discussions would remain private. “We speak and those types of things will stay indoors as it should be,” he emphasized. His loyalty to Salah as a friend and colleague was clear, but just as evident was his determination to protect the dressing room from the growing media frenzy. Van Dijk also reminded reporters that Salah will soon depart for Africa to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, making the timeline for any reconciliation or reintegration even more urgent.

While Van Dijk opted for caution, he did acknowledge that Salah’s recent outburst — in which the player claimed he felt like he was being “thrown under the bus” — has created a scenario the entire club must now navigate delicately. The defender insisted the squad remains united, praising the focus the players showed to secure a monumental away win during a turbulent stretch. “The most important thing is that you speak with each other,” he said, highlighting the need for composure despite outside noise.

Andy Robertson, another senior figure in the dressing room and a player who joined Liverpool the same summer Salah arrived in 2017, also addressed the situation. He echoed Van Dijk’s stance — acknowledging how difficult the moment is but claiming the group remains solid internally. Robertson did not shy away from celebrating Salah’s legacy, describing him as “one of the greatest players to play for this club.” He also made his own wishes very clear: “I love playing with Mo Salah and I hope to continue playing with him.”

However, Robertson also admitted decisions over Salah’s future are “up to other people,” a clear indication that control over the situation rests at the highest level of club leadership — not with the players.

Salah’s explosive interview after the Leeds match provided the spark for the current turmoil. The Egyptian superstar expressed disbelief and anger at being benched, stating that it was the first time in his career he had been left unused for an entire match. In his comments, he accused the club of breaking promises made during contract discussions and revealed he believes the manager no longer has a relationship with him. “Now we don’t have any relationship and I don’t know why,” he said of Slot — words that sent shockwaves through Merseyside and the global football media.

Even though Salah trained with the squad after the interview, Slot made the bold call to exclude him from the Inter Milan fixture. Liverpool appeared more defensively stable in his absence, as they ground out a win thanks to a late penalty scored by Dominik Szoboszlai after Florian Wirtz was dragged down inside the box. The result keeps Liverpool positioned well within the Champions League group’s top eight, helping avoid a potential play-off scenario — something Robertson stressed the team is desperate to avoid after a difficult draw last season.

While Slot celebrated a victory that relieves some immediate pressure on his role, Salah’s absence loomed large. The longer he remains sidelined, the more the situation threatens to overshadow Liverpool’s performances. The club now faces a critical decision: demand an apology from Salah, or attempt to move forward without forcing the issue and risk further unrest.

Transfer speculation is already intensifying. Not only clubs from Saudi Arabia — well-known admirers of Salah — but also teams from the United States and Europe are reportedly monitoring events closely. With the January window approaching, an exit can no longer be dismissed as unlikely. Salah only recently signed a lucrative extension until 2027, but a deteriorating relationship with the manager could prompt conversations that once seemed unthinkable. His next match could be Liverpool’s clash with Brighton — or it could prove to be his final if negotiations accelerate.

Despite the tension, the message from Liverpool’s senior players is clear: the squad is determined to stay unified and focused. The love and respect for Salah inside the dressing room remain strong, but the path ahead is clouded with uncertainty. Every match, every press conference, and every internal conversation could shift the direction of his Anfield future.

For now, the club enjoys a valuable victory — but the celebration is restrained. A massive decision looms. One of the greatest players in Liverpool history is at a crossroads. And whether the next chapter is reconciliation or separation, the outcome will define not just Salah’s legacy… but Liverpool’s future under Arne Slot.