Liverpool have made a shock call ahead of their Champions League trip to San Siro: Mohamed Salah has been left out of the squad to face Inter Milan. For a player who has defined the club’s modern era, this is more than a tactical tweak. It is a line in the sand. It comes after a rough run of form, a public war of words, and a growing rift with manager Arne Slot. The decision sends a loud message, and it raises bigger questions about where Liverpool go next.

Why Liverpool dropped Mohamed Salah for Inter Milan

The club has decided that Salah will not be in the traveling group for Tuesday’s Champions League tie. In the hours before the trip, his status was unclear. Now it’s final: no Salah in Milan. This follows weeks of tension behind the scenes and in public. The Egyptian star has not started the last three matches and was even an unused substitute twice. That is rare for a player of his status and record.

Liverpool are under pressure. They are ninth in the Premier League after 15 games and 10 points off leaders Arsenal. With the team stumbling, Slot has made a bold call that he believes can steady the ship. But leaving out the club’s most famous finisher on a European night is a huge gamble. It could help reset the dressing room. It could also deepen the crisis.

“How do you bench 250 goals and expect sparks in Milan?”

Salah’s goal drought by the numbers

On the pitch, the story is simple: goals have slowed. Salah has scored just 4 times in 13 Premier League matches this season. That makes this his least productive spell since he joined Liverpool in 2017. For context, last season he hit 29 league goals in 38 games and powered Liverpool to their 20th league title.

Across all competitions, Salah has delivered 250 goals for the club. He is listed as the Premier League’s fourth-highest scorer of all time. That pedigree is why this slump is such a big headline. It’s also why his omission for Inter feels like a turning point rather than a normal rotation.

• 2024/25 Premier League: 4 goals in 13 appearances
• 2023/24 Premier League: 29 goals in 38 appearances
• Liverpool career: 250 goals in all competitions

Arne Slot vs Salah: how the relationship broke down

Form is one part of the story. The other part is trust. Reports say Salah’s relationship with Arne Slot has worsened in recent weeks. It may have reached a breaking point after the forward was benched in a 3-3 draw against Leeds United, then watched on as an unused sub in other games.

Salah did not hide his anger. He went public after the Leeds match and said Liverpool were not protecting him in a tough time. In a striking message, he said the club was “throwing me under the bus” and added:

“It is not acceptable for me. I don’t know why this is happening to me. I don’t get it.… I think if this was somewhere else, every club would protect its player. How I see it now is like you throw Mo under the bus because he is the problem in the team now. But I don’t think I am the problem. I have done so much for this club.”

He even compared his treatment to that of Harry Kane during goal droughts, pointing to a difference in media and club support. After those words, insiders say the bond between player and manager — and perhaps the club as a whole — has broken down.

“Protect your best player or prepare to lose him.”

Champions League stakes at San Siro without Salah

Inter Milan away is one of Europe’s toughest assignments. Doing it without Salah raises the degree of difficulty. His pace, movement, and threat in big moments have carried Liverpool in many European nights. Now others will have to step up.

Slot’s choice hints at a reset. He may want a tighter press, fresher legs, or simply a dressing room free from the spotlight of one giant storyline. But there is a risk: if Liverpool struggle in Milan, the decision will be judged as a self-inflicted wound.

“If Salah was Kane, would this be handled this publicly?”

Contracts, money, and the January window: is a sale on the table?

Salah signed a new two-year contract worth around £400,000 per week, despite clear interest from the Saudi Pro League. That commitment felt like a statement from both sides. But football moves fast. If the current stand-off continues, Liverpool may have to weigh a January sale.

There are reasons an early exit could appeal. It would avoid months of drama. It could bring a large fee and reduce one of the club’s biggest wages. It would also let the manager build around players who fit his plan and who are fully aligned with him.

There are also reasons to wait. Goals are the rarest currency in football, and Salah has proven he can deliver them in bunches. If the two sides can talk, fix the trust, and reset roles, Liverpool could still gain from his star power this season. The question is whether the mood in the room can change fast enough.

What it means for Liverpool’s title defence and season

Liverpool’s league form tells a worrying story. Ninth place after 15 games and 10 points off the top is not where a champion wants to be. Internal issues make it harder to recover. The Salah saga places a spotlight on decision-making, leadership, and the club’s core culture.

In the short term, the team needs results and calm. A strong showing in Milan without Salah would buy Slot time and help the squad’s belief. In the long term, the club must decide if the best path is reconciliation or a clean break. Either way, clarity is needed soon. Uncertainty helps no one.

The bigger picture: identity, standards, and the road ahead

This is more than one selection call. It is about what Liverpool want to be this season. Do they double down on a new manager’s way, even if it means moving on from a legend? Or do they back the legend to find form and lead again? These are tough choices, but big clubs are defined by how they handle big moments.

For now, one fact is clear: Salah will not play against Inter Milan. The rest of the story will unfold in the coming weeks, with the January window the next flashpoint. The club’s title defense is already under strain. This decision could either steady the ship or rock it further. All eyes now turn to San Siro, and to what happens next between Liverpool and their greatest modern goalscorer.

Reporting based on multiple outlets, including TalkSport, GetFrenchFootballNews, Football Italia, and ESPN.