Liverpool boss Arne Slot refused to confirm whether Mohamed Salah will be given a farewell appearance in the final Premier League game of the season.
Arne Slot has now responded to the comments but would not reveal whether Salah will feature against Brentford on Sunday. The match could mark Salah’s final appearance for the Reds before leaving Anfield this summer.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the final game of the season, Slot said: “I don’t think it is important what I feel, what is is we qualify for the Champions League.
“So I prepare Mo and the rest of the team to be ready. I was disappointed after Villa, a win would’ve given us qualification, now there is one game to go and it is vital.”
He added: “If it had an impact on the group…the team trained well this week and we continue that so we’re prepared. Mo and I have the same interests, we want the club to be successful.
“We were both part of giving the fans the title last year and we haven’t brought that same level this year. What we all want is to be the same success as last season. Sunday’s game gives us a good base for next Sunday.
“Will he play? I never say anything about team selection, so I won’t do that now. A lot of ifs but we know what we need Sunday.
“I think we would like to give our fans a nice way to end the season, because too mant disappointments for us and the club and the fans and staff and players. We want to end with a win.
“Brentford play for something important as well. We want to be in the best possible place.”
Liverpool suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa in their last outing, meaning their Champions League qualification still depends on getting a result on the final day of the season against Brentford.
Following the loss, Salah took to social media to deliver a scathing assessment.
“I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions,” he said. “It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that.
“Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies.
“That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it.
“Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games. Liverpool will always be a club that means a great deal to me and to my family.
“I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on. As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen.”
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