Liverpool squad missing three big names vs Inter Milan after Mohamed Salah axed | Football | Sport

December 8, 2025 2,588

Mohamed Salah has been dropped from Liverpool’s 19-man squad for Tuesday evening’s Champions League match against Inter Milan, fuelling speculation about his future at Anfield. And he is not the only high-profile absentee – the Reds are also without forwards Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa which leaves them stretched thin in attack. Despite participating in Monday morning’s open training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the trip to Italy, Salah was absent from the afternoon flight to Milan, following his controversial interview over the weekend.

Express Sport understands that Liverpool, in consultation with and fully backed by head coach Arne Slot, have decided to temporarily exclude Salah from the squad. It is thought that the Reds believe a brief hiatus from selection is currently in the best interests of the club, the team, and the player himself. However, it should be noted that Salah has not been penalised by the club, with the decision relating solely to squad selection.

But Salah’s absence is still very noteworthy given it leaves Liverpool even lighter in attacking options without Chiesa and Gakpo.

The 33-year-old expressed his frustration at being “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and claimed his relationship with Slot had completely deteriorated after being benched for the third consecutive game at Leeds United over the weekend.

Salah now has just one opportunity to play, in Saturday’s Premier League home match against Brighton, before he links up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations.

With the January transfer window opening before Mohamed Salah‘s scheduled return, there is a chance he may have already played his last game for Liverpool if his situation cannot be resolved and an exit is deemed best for all involved.

The Saudi Pro League has reportedly been keen on signing Salah for some time.

Without Salah, Gakpo and Chiesa, strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, as well as 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, are the only other forwards to have seen senior action this season, although Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz could also be utilised in the front three.

Midfielder Wataru Endo, who like Gakpo and Chiesa missed Monday’s training session, has also not travelled with the team.

This means the squad will be supplemented by teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni and defender Wellity Lucky who has just one senior appearance to his name.