Jamie Carragher has described Liverpool’s 1-0 victory away to Inter Milan as “massive” for Arne Slot, insisting the result proves the supporters are firmly behind their manager despite the storm created by Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview and subsequent omission from the squad.
The Champions League win at San Siro eased some of the pressure on Slot after days of intense scrutiny over his fractured relationship with Salah. It also gave Liverpool a crucial boost in Europe as they chase direct qualification for the knockout phase.
Coming into the game with just one win in six across all competitions, Slot’s side were in need of a statement performance. They got it late, thanks to an 88th-minute penalty converted by Dominik Szoboszlai, a goal that also keeps Liverpool well placed in the battle for a top-eight finish.
“I was so desperate for Liverpool to win tonight, as I am every time they play, but more so for the manager for what he’s been through over the last few days,” Carragher said on CBS.
“I don’t know him well or have any real relationship with him, but he’s the Liverpool manager. We all know what’s gone on, and what really stood out was the fans chanting his name in the first half at 0-0. They’re right behind their manager, and this result only strengthens that.”
“A huge result in a tough place”
Carragher stressed just how important the victory felt, not only for the table but for the mood around the club after losing their previous Champions League home game to PSV.
“It was a massive result, it’s a tough place to go and Liverpool needed that after losing their last home game in the Champions League to PSV,” he continued.
“I’m happy for him more than anything. It’s been tough all season for him. As a manager, he does have to do better in terms of getting more results with the squad he has, but that’s a huge result for him and the club. I’m over the moon for him.”
The late winner, the clean sheet and the visible backing from the away support all combined to give Slot some breathing space at the end of a turbulent week dominated by talk of Salah’s future and tension inside the dressing room.
Slot wants clarity from Salah as dressing room feels impact
Off the pitch, the standoff between Slot and Salah continues to loom over Liverpool. The Egyptian’s interview, which led to him being left out of the travelling squad, has raised questions about his long-term future and his relationship with the coach.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Slot admitted the situation has had a wider effect on the team and made clear he wants a clear stance from Salah before any serious discussions about what comes next.
“Of course there’s a lot of things being said, and I think that always affects a team a little bit as well,” Slot said.
“If you’ve been in the dressing room, you know that when there is something between a player and the manager or the club, it normally affects the other players too, especially when it’s someone so good and so influential.
“It’s never nice to see something like this happen to one of your team-mates.”
Slot suggested that the first step has to come from Salah himself, hinting that the forward needs to reflect on his role in the fallout.
“Everyone makes mistakes in life, so the first thing is whether the player feels he’s made a mistake as well,” the Dutchman added. “Then the next question is, should the initiative come from me or from him? That’s something we still have to answer.
“But, as I said, the focus tonight should be on players like Virgil [Van Dijk], because the fans are singing for him.”
For now, the narrative has shifted, at least briefly, from the Salah saga to a gritty away win that strengthens Liverpool’s position in Europe and gives Slot a timely show of support from the stands.
