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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has said he is comfortable being seen as the "villain" behind Mohamed Salah's exit from the club, stating he has no remorse over how he handled the Egyptian forward.
Salah's place as an automatic starter at Anfield came under scrutiny earlier this campaign following a disappointing stretch of performances. After being omitted from three consecutive matchdays, the winger publicly voiced his frustration over his situation and his strained relationship with Slot back in December.
The two eventually reconciled with a handshake and moved forward, but that incident sparked the departure speculation surrounding Salah, who has since confirmed he will be leaving Liverpool when the season concludes. Slot was confronted with the notion that some Liverpool fans might hold him responsible for triggering Salah's forthcoming exit.
"But that's the general feeling right now, isn't it?" the embattled Slot said with a laugh, acknowledging that he feels held accountable for most of Liverpool's difficulties this season.
When asked whether, looking back, he stood by his handling of Salah, Slot replied: "Yes. Reflecting on this season, I think there are a few decisions I could have made differently, but I'm not referring to this particular situation with Mo. There isn't much I regret from our year and a half working together, or even a bit longer."
Slot: Lack of Minutes Not Behind Salah's Exit
Although Salah has been a consistent starter since resolving his dispute with Slot, speculation has persisted that his manager's willingness to drop him may have played a role in his decision to move on.
That theory was presented to Slot, who noted this was not the first occasion in Salah's time at Liverpool that he had been left out of the starting lineup.
"The idea that if he's not in the team he wants to leave — by that logic, he would have walked out a year and a half ago," Slot argued. "I recall the West Ham away match when he wasn't selected [in April 2024]. I wasn't the manager then. He didn't choose to leave.
"The assumption is that being left out of a few games suddenly makes someone want to leave. It's just an assumption — maybe it holds some truth, maybe it doesn't — but history shows he didn't react that way before, and he went on to have an outstanding season afterward."
Slot added: "The only person who can speak to this is Mo himself. You're assuming he wants to leave because he was out for six days. I'm not convinced what you're suggesting is accurate.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Mo eventually shares his own perspective on why he made the choice he did. But it's not my place to do that — it's his. I wouldn't entertain all these assumptions. You have to be careful with them."
Slot also brushed aside suggestions that Liverpool's readiness to allow Salah to leave on a free transfer reflected his own eagerness to part ways with the Egyptian star.
"Those are your words," Slot replied.
"I believe Mo has fully earned the right to decide when the time is right for him to move on. Everything he has given to this club speaks for itself. The decision was his to make, and that's exactly what he did."