Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admits he has "no clue" whether Mohamed Salah has played his last game for the club but insists he is "a firm believer there is always a possibility to return for a player".
Salah was dropped from Liverpool's Champions League squad travelling to Inter Milan following his explosive comments about his relationship with Slot, his treatment by the club and his future.
After Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, for which Salah was an unused substitute in his third successive match starting on the bench, the Egypt forward said his relationship with Slot had broken down and he felt someone at the club was trying to force him out.
When asked whether Salah had played his final game for Liverpool, Slot – speaking ahead of Tuesday’s clash at San Siro – said: "I have no clue, I cannot answer that question at this period in time."
He added: "I’m a firm believer there is always a possibility to return for a player. I can leave it at that.
"I don’t feel my authority is undermined. It is not about me, if my life is difficult. It’s not important, it is whether it is more difficult for the team and the club."
Meanwhile, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker admits Salah's stand-off with the club is "not a situation which makes us happy" but insists the dressing room has not been destabilised.
"This is not a situation that makes us happy, first and foremost because on a personal level we all love Mo," said Alisson.
"He is a hugely important player for the team, he is a wonderful human being, he is a spectacular footballer and has been very important for the club.
"We were a little bit caught by surprise but we know it is a personal situation so we are leaving it between him and the club.
"What we believe does not come into things. What we want is for him and the club to reach an agreement in the best interests of him and the club and all of the playing staff.
"I hope he plays again for the club. That’s a personal situation between Mo and the club.
"We as his team-mates and his friends, we hope the best thing happens for him, but as Liverpool FC players we want the best for the club as well. We want a win-win situation for everyone."
Salah’s comments sent shockwaves throughout football following the draw at Leeds, which made it just four wins in the last 15 matches and made Slot’s life even more difficult.
But Alisson insists the players are still behind the head coach (below).
"Of course, yeah. Before Arne came in everyone talks about the huge challenge being a substitute for Jurgen Klopp," he added.
"Now it looks like everyone takes for granted what we achieved in the last season. It should not be taken for granted, that should be enough, but we believe in his knowledge.
"We believe his style of play and that he is capable of helping us to turn around this situation.
"I don’t think that his goal is to disrespect anyone. I believe he has the freedom to speak, what we expect is a player that wants to play that is not comfortable being on the bench.
"You have the freedom to talk but you need to deal with the consequences and as a team it is important how we are going to react and the reaction is staying together, working hard to overcome a bad situation.
"It is not just about Mo, it is about the team and the club."
Watch Real Madrid v Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport
