Virgil Van Dijk breaks silence following Mohamed Salah’s dramatic interview

December 8, 2025 Oliver Obel

Slot’s decision to leave Salah out of the starting XI for the third straight match had been the talking point even before the teams kicked off. With the forward set to depart imminently for the Africa Cup of Nations, many expected him to start in what could have been one of his final appearances before the tournament.

But when Salah spoke after the match, his words carried an emotional weight that caught even seasoned reporters off guard.

“I’m very, very disappointed,” he said in the mixed zone, adding that he felt he had been “thrown under the bus.” He also suggested that assurances made during the summer “have not been kept,” leaving him unsure of his standing at the club.

Salah went further, implying that either Slot or senior figures at Liverpool “no longer want me at the club.” He admitted he no longer understood why his role had changed so sharply since late November, when he last started in the Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven.

In a striking moment, the forward revealed he had invited his parents to the upcoming home match against Brighton, describing it as a game he intends to “enjoy” regardless of whether he starts. “I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans,” he said, stopping short of confirming any plans beyond AFCON.

Asked about Saudi Arabia’s interest, he replied: “In football you never know.”

The comments painted a portrait of a player who no longer feels anchored within the club he has defined for nearly a decade.

https://twitter.com/AnfieldWatch/status/1997408082620485725

Van Dijk gives restrained public response

Van Dijk was brief when asked to respond immediately after the final whistle. His short reply “Let him say something” suggested he did not wish to escalate the situation publicly.

Privately, however, the dressing room had sensed tension building. According to reporting from The Athletic’s James Pearce, players noticed Salah’s mood shift on Friday once he learned he would again be on the bench. While Salah remains widely respected, Pearce noted that he keeps only a small circle of close relationships inside the squad, and frustration had been building over several weeks.

Given the circumstances, few were surprised that his disappointment eventually surfaced on camera.

A conflict weeks in the making

Salah’s remarks also landed at an awkward time for Van Dijk, who just days earlier had addressed the forward’s reduced minutes. Following a draw with Sunderland, the captain reminded reporters that reputations alone do not guarantee selection under Slot.

“Everyone has to perform,” he said, adding that Salah had long been a central figure in the squad and remained important to Liverpool’s leadership core. He called the forward’s frustration “normal” for any player of that competitive level.

Slot, meanwhile, has yet to respond publicly an absence noted by supporters already debating whether the manager’s handling of Salah is tactical, disciplinary, or something else entirely.

Club silent as attention turns to Inter Milan

Liverpool have not issued an official statement, and Slot is expected to face questions during the club’s Champions League build-up on Monday. Internally, uncertainty surrounds not only whether Salah starts against Inter Milan, but also whether his relationship with the club can be repaired after AFCON.

For now, the situation hangs over the squad like a storm cloud. The match at Elland Road may have exposed defensive frailties, but Salah’s interview exposed something deeper: a rift between a club icon and a project still searching for stability.

Sources: The Athletic, AFP, Liverpool FC media, Post-match interviews at Elland Road.