With the Africa Cup of Nations commencing next week, the forward suggested the Brighton fixture could be his final Anfield appearance before a possible January departure. However, after discussions on Friday, Salah has been included amongst the substitutes.
At his pre-match press conference, Slot remained tight-lipped about the forward’s return whilst confirming he’d held talks with Salah’s representative, Ramy Abbas Issa, during the week.
“We’ve spoken a lot in the last week,” Slot said. “After the Sunderland game I think there have been a lot of conversations between his representatives and our representatives, and between him and me after the Sunderland game. And today I will speak to him again.”
The Liverpool boss also revealed that the decision to rest Salah for the midweek match was a collective one.
“I think we decided as a club and I was part of that decision not to take him to the Inter Milan game,” Slot shared. “I’m always in contact with them, but when it comes to the decision-making of the lineup or the squad they always leave that open to me.”
Slot further clarified his relationship with the club’s hierarchy: “But that’s not to say that I don’t talk to them – mainly Richard [Hughes], by the way, not Michael [Edwards] – but I talk to Richard about so many things. The decision to play a player or to have him in the squad, as I’ve experienced it until now and I think this will never change, is entirely up to me.”