Virgil van Dijk insists Mohamed Salah’s outburst on Saturday has had no impact on the Liverpool squad, saying he didn’t notice any difference in ‘perfectly normal’ training.
Salah grabbed the headlines after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday, having been left on the bench for the entire match at Elland Road.
He claimed he has been ‘thrown under the bus’ by the club, made a scapegoat for his or her poor season to date and suggested he could leave in January.
It was a remarkable rant from the Reds legend and he was immediately punished as he didn’t travel with the squad to Italy for the Champions League clash with Inter on Tuesday night.
Salah did train together with his teammates before they departed for Milan – where Dominik Szoboszlai scored a late penalty in a 1-0 win – and Van Dijk says every part was high-quality within the squad despite the forward’s explosive comments.
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‘It wasn’t too difficult. Obviously it’s his feelings that he had after the sport,’ Van Dijk told Sky Sports. ‘We got here in on Sunday and I didn’t feel any different by way of the team, the players.
‘Everyone knows what’s happening, but I feel the surface world makes it what it’s, larger than ever.
‘We just must cope with the facts, that we had a giant game tonight, that everybody needed to be ready for and we have now one other big game on the weekend. Whatever happens, we’ll see. Nothing more, nothing less.’
Asked if he had spoken to Salah since Saturday and if he would disclose what was said, the Reds captain replied: ‘After all I spoke to him. No, in fact not. It’s none of anyone’s business.’
Salah’s future at Anfield appears to be hanging within the balance, but asked if he would love his long-time teammate to remain, Van Dijk was clear.
What did Salah say? Key quotes from explosive interview
On transfer interest from the Saudi Pro League: ‘I don’t wish to answer this query, since the club goes to take me to a special direction.’
On being benched again versus Leeds: ‘The third time on the bench, I feel for the primary time in my profession. I’m very, very disillusioned to be fair. I actually have done a lot for this club down the years and particularly last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It looks as if the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I’m feeling. I feel it is vitally clear that somebody wanted me to get all the blame.’
On his relationship with Arne Slot: ‘I said again and again before that I had an excellent relationship with the manager and impulsively, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, however it seems to me, how I see it, that somebody doesn’t want me within the club.’
On whether Saturday’s game against Brighton might be his last Liverpool game: ‘In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what’s going to occur now. I shall be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup (of Nations). I don’t know what’s going to occur after I am there.’
On whether he regrets signing a brand new contract last season: ‘Imagine how bad that I actually have to reply it, truthfully. That hurts, even the query hurts. This club, signing for this club, I won’t ever regret it. I assumed I’m going to renew here and end my profession here, but this shouldn’t be based on the plan.’
‘After all. I’ve been with Mo for such a protracted time,’ he said. ‘He’s been a giant a part of my success that I’ve had on the club. He’s a giant a part of the club’s success, I’m a giant a part of his success. We’ve all been doing it together at Liverpool.
‘The fact is that he’s going away on the weekend. Hopefully he has an incredible African Cup of Nations. Within the meantime I do not know what is going to occur.
‘100 per cent [I hope he returns to play for Liverpool]. But I’m not a decision-maker here. It’s a call between the club and Mo. Whatever happens, we’re friends, we’ve been through highs and lows. Let’s see. Let’s see what it brings.’
Arne Slot’s squad was a little bit stretched in Milan as he didn’t have Cody Gakpo or Federico Chiesa available either.
Questioned on if he felt Salah had let the team down together with his words, the Dutch defender said: ‘I’m not going to comment on that in any way. I don’t think there’s any point in saying if someone let someone down.
‘He didn’t travel based on the results of what he said after the sport, that’s it. He trained yesterday, perfectly normal. Let’s see after we come back and train on Friday what the situation shall be like. My focus is on the team.
‘At this point Mo remains to be a part of the team, so let’s see what happens.’
Andy Robertson is one other Liverpool great who has played alongside Salah for years and the Scot hopes the Egyptian doesn’t leave under a cloud.
‘Tough situation. We’re talking about one in all the best players to play for this club,’ said Robertson.
‘I signed in the identical window as him. Whatever has happened, happened. Internally, we’re all together.’
On Salah’s future he said: ‘That’ll be as much as other people, it’s less than me. I really like fidgeting with Mo Salah and I hope to proceed fidgeting with him.’
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