Portugal Colonial - Salah dropped by Liverpool for Inter Milan clash

The Egypt forward was not included in the squad announced by Liverpool on Monday, despite training earlier in the day with the first team.

Salah said on Saturday he felt like he had been "thrown under the bus" by Liverpool and that he no longer had a relationship with Slot after he was left on the bench for the third consecutive game in a 3-3 draw at Leeds and not even introduced as a substitute.

But several British media reports said Salah's omission for Tuesday's game in Italy was not for disciplinary reasons but rather a selection decision.

The BBC said his removal from the squad was taken with the full support of Slot.

It said that it is in the best interest of all parties involved for Salah to have a brief period away from selection given the nature and timing of the player's public comments.

The BBC added "it is understood this is a decision which relates solely to squad selection and there will be no formal disciplinary action taken by the club".

After next weekend's home match against Brighton, Salah is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 33-year-old is Liverpool's third-highest goalscorer of all time with 250 goals in 420 appearances for the club.

But Salah has been a shadow of his former self during Liverpool's struggles this season -- the Premier League champions are now ninth in the table -- with a mere four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.

A.P.Maia--PC