Curtis Jones has revealed what Mohamed Salah told the Liverpool squad after his public criticism of Arne Slot and the club following last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
Salah claimed his relationship with the head coach had broken down and that he had been “thrown under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive matches.
He was subsequently left out of the travelling squad for the midweek win over Inter Milan and suggested that the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion could be his last for the club.
However, after productive talks with Slot on Friday, Salah was recalled for the visit of the Seagulls.
Although he started on the bench, the Egyptian was introduced in the first half following Joe Gomez’s injury and played a key role by setting up Hugo Ekitike’s second goal in a 2-0 victory.
Salah will now depart for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt, meaning uncertainty over his Liverpool future is set to continue ahead of the January transfer window.
Speaking after the win over Brighton, Jones downplayed the situation, explaining that Salah made it clear his comments were not aimed at the squad or any of his team-mates.
“We all love Mo. I love Mo,” Curtis Jones told Viaplay. “At my hardest times at the club, you know, he was always one of the ones who was there. I could always speak to (him). And it’s exactly the same now.
“Mo’s his own man, he’s got his own opinions. And, you know, I don’t think his intentions were to affect the team or anything like that. It was just a personal thing.
“And as everybody knows, the team, the fans, the staff, we all love Mo. He’s a great guy.
“I don’t really like to speak on another man’s issues or his business and stuff – that has to do with Mo. But at the end of the day, I think the important thing that Mo made clear was that it’s not against the team or anything like that, just a personal issue, and that’s it.”
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