“Arne Slot accepts the villain label while Salah bids farewell.”

Arne Slot takes on the role of villain in Mohamed Salah’s departure from Liverpool: the last chance for redemption in the FA Cup

The bombshell dropped ten days ago: Mohamed Salah announced that he will leave Liverpool. Four months earlier, in an explosive interview, the Egyptian claimed to have no relationship with coach Arne Slot. Now, the Dutch manager breaks his silence and shows no regrets about how he handled this crisis that shook Anfield.

“Yes,” Slot stated firmly, “looking back on this season, I recognize that I made decisions that could have been better, but I’m not referring to this specific situation with Mo.” The statement reveals the coach’s conviction in maintaining the strategy that, in his view, was correct given the context.

Slot did not hold back in praising Salah, acknowledging him as “a legend” and the third highest scorer in Liverpool’s history. However, aware of the controversy, he admits to the role he has been assigned: “At this moment, I am indeed the villain of this story, the coach who put an end to the reign of the Egyptian king at Anfield.” The ironic smile with which Slot embraces this label demonstrates his ability to face the controversy head-on.

The near future could be decisive for the image of both. With the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finals looming, Salah could bid farewell in style, especially if he is fit for the clash against Manchester City this Saturday. Alternatively, he could end his career at Liverpool in an anticlimactic fashion, in a season marked by tension and controversy.

Slot recalls the heavy defeat at the Etihad, where Liverpool lost 3-0, and how that match contributed to the tension with Salah. Without mentioning the winger’s name, the coach highlighted how right-back Conor Bradley was often left isolated against opponents like Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly, insinuating that the team did not function well collectively. Shortly after, Salah was sidelined from the team, remaining on the bench for three consecutive matches, a situation that triggered the player’s famous outburst at Elland Road — an episode that still weighs on the Egyptian’s final decision.

Since then, Salah has been a starter in 12 of the 13 matches he has been available for following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, a scenario that Slot uses to downplay the idea of a permanent departure. “Only Mo can talk about that,” said the coach. “It’s unfair to assume that he wants to leave because of those days off. Incidents like that happen every day in world football. After that, he went to the Africa Cup of Nations, and when he returned, he played almost every game.”

This apparent reconciliation was the result of tense negotiations. Salah was excluded from the trip to Italy for the match against Inter Milan and only returned to the team after discussions during the African tournament. Although Slot remains reserved, the player’s decision to leave the club, with one year left on his contract and without Liverpool demanding a transfer fee, is clear. “Mo has every right to decide when he thinks he should leave,” Slot stated.

The coach hopes there will be a public explanation, but that it will come from Salah himself: “When these decisions are made public, it’s not surprising that there are many conversations between him, his agent, the club, me, and him before that. I would be surprised if there isn’t a moment when Mo shares his reasons. That’s not up to me; it’s up to him.”

The departure of Mohamed Salah could mark the end of a glorious era at Liverpool, but it also leaves the door open for a dignified farewell through winning the FA Cup and achieving success in the Champions League. Arne Slot is ready to face the thankless role assigned to him — will this be the last stain or the beginning of an unexpected redemption? Time and the upcoming matches will reveal.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.