Dominik Szoboszlai has spoken up regarding the situation surrounding Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. The Hungarian midfielder emphasized that none of the players will interfere in determining Salah’s future at the club, including himself, despite their close relationship.
According to Szoboszlai, the issue between Salah, the club management, and manager Arne Slot is something that can only be resolved by those parties. Other players, he stressed, have no right or role to influence how this heated conflict will end.
Salah’s Absence Becomes Major Talking Point
Mohamed Salah became the center of attention after he was left out of the Liverpool squad during their 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan on Wednesday morning WIB. Slot’s decision to omit Salah came just days after the Egyptian star delivered sharp criticism following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Sunday (7/12/2025).
Salah’s public comments, which were deemed to clash with the manager’s vision, ignited tension within the team. The internal conflict — something rarely seen at Liverpool — has since escalated into a larger debate regarding Salah’s long-term future, especially with the 33-year-old forward entering the final phase of his contract.
Even worse, Salah is also expected to miss Liverpool’s weekend fixture against Brighton, before joining the Egyptian national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations starting Monday.
Players Refuse to Get Involved
After scoring the decisive penalty against Inter at the San Siro, Szoboszlai faced multiple questions about the Salah drama. He made it clear that his close personal bond with Salah would not influence any professional matters involving the club.
“I’m really close to him,” Szoboszlai said.
“But this isn’t the players’ business. It’s about him, his choices, and how he wants to shape his career and his life.”
Having recently been deployed as a right winger in Salah’s absence, Szoboszlai stressed that the players should not — and will not — decide Salah’s future.
“Do I want him to stay? That’s not my decision, and not ours as players. I love him as a person and as a friend. On the pitch, he has contributed so much to this club. But ultimately, the decision lies with the club and with himself,” he emphasized.
Dressing Room Remains Solid, Full Support for Slot
Despite the ongoing controversy, the Liverpool dressing room reportedly remains intact. Curtis Jones stated that the internal atmosphere is stable and that the squad continues to back Arne Slot wholeheartedly.
“We always support the manager,” Jones said.
“Slot is human. When we lose, he feels it just as much as we do, and just like the fans. But he always keeps a positive mindset and is ready to make changes. His ambition hasn’t changed — he wants us to win.”
Jones added that the tactical adjustments made by Slot recently have started to produce results, boosting the team’s confidence significantly.
Liverpool’s Shift in Mentality and Tactical Approach
Since Salah was benched, Liverpool have gone unbeaten in four straight matches. Consecutive defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven previously put Slot under immense pressure, but the team responded strongly.
Against Inter at the San Siro, Liverpool used a diamond midfield formation, with Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak leading the attack. The setup added variation and fluidity to Liverpool’s offensive play.
Jones acknowledged the positive impact of the system change.
“I think this formation works because it gets more players involved. It’s never easy to make everyone happy, especially after some poor results,” he explained.
“We just wanted to freshen things up, try something different — and so far, it’s worked.”
The squad understands that Slot’s tactical tweaks are part of his efforts to revive the team’s performance amid internal turbulence.
Salah’s Future Remains Uncertain
Despite numerous speculations, Liverpool have yet to make any official statement regarding Salah’s status. His tense relationship with Slot, coupled with pressure surrounding the team’s performance, has made his future increasingly uncertain.
One thing, however, is clear: Szoboszlai and the rest of the players will not influence the decision. Salah’s future lies solely in the hands of the club and the player himself.
For Liverpool, the main focus now is to maintain their winning momentum and ensure the squad remains united amid ongoing internal challenges.
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