Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones stated in an exclusive interview with Camel Live that Mohamed Salah had apologized to the entire squad over his controversial interview, adding that the dressing room has remained united throughout.
Following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, Salah publicly claimed that he "no longer had a relationship" with manager Arne Slot. He subsequently failed to make the matchday squad for Liverpool’s Champions League away win against Inter Milan.
However, after holding talks with Slot, Salah returned to the squad last weekend and played a key role in the victory over Brighton. He came off the bench in the first half and provided the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second goal of the game, helping the team secure the win. After the match, Slot said there were "no issues to resolve" between himself and Salah. Currently, Salah has joined the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Jones confirmed that Salah had apologized to the whole team for his remarks. He said: "Mo is a man of strong opinions, and he speaks his mind. He apologized to us, roughly saying, ‘If I upset anyone or made you feel uncomfortable, I apologize to everyone.’ That’s just the kind of person he is."
Jones added: "From what I know of Mo and how he is around the team, his attitude was very positive. He was still the same Mo, smiling, and everyone treated him as usual. I think it stemmed from a desire to win, and he won’t be the last person to feel that way."
When asked about player attitudes, Jones said: "I also understand that some things could have been expressed more appropriately. But if a player is content sitting on the bench and doesn’t want to come on to help the team, I think that’s an even bigger problem."
He continued: "For me and everyone else in the team, our frustration comes from a sense of responsibility to the club. Maybe the way we expressed ourselves wasn’t perfect at times, but it was never intended to disrupt the team, the staff or the manager. All that is in the past now. We are gradually gelling, finding form again and starting to win games."
"No One Is Blaming Anyone"
Last month, Liverpool suffered a humiliating 1-4 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven, plunging the club into its worst slump in 71 years. After the match, Jones described the loss as "unacceptable" and said it was more than just anger.
Since then, however, Liverpool has remained unbeaten in five consecutive games, seemingly emerging from the downturn. Jones said: "I’m a born and bred Liverpudlian, so I know exactly what this club, this city and the fans mean. I chose to speak out simply because I wanted to be honest. Sometimes what I say might make some people uncomfortable."
"Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely hate losing—whether it’s a card game, a training session or a competitive match. Now I’m not just a first-team player, but also a fan who has supported Liverpool since I was a kid. I know exactly how losing affects the fans; it feels just the same as it does to me."
Jones recalled: "I was angry and shocked at the time, but what gave me hope was the reaction of my teammates. No one blamed Mo, no one blamed the manager, and no one pointed fingers at each other. Instead, we chose to look at ourselves."
"I said at the time that we needed to run more, fight harder and compete more intensely. That message wasn’t just for them; it was for me too. The changes you’re seeing now are a result of that."
He concluded: "When I talk to players from other teams, I realize this place is more like a family. Family members argue and clash, but in the end, they stand together. Neither the fans nor the situation surrounding Mo has had a negative impact on us. It has only fueled our desire to win, not damaged the dressing room dynamic—no one is blaming anyone."
Slot: Will Not Distract Salah with Liverpool Matters During Africa Cup of Nations
At his press conference on Friday, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he would not distract Salah with any Liverpool-related issues while the player is representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Slot said: "I said last week that actions speak louder than words, and we’ve moved on. He was back in the squad, and he was my first substitution."
"Now he’s at the Africa Cup of Nations, playing very important games for himself and his country. The fairest thing for both them and us is to let him focus entirely on that. After that interview following the Leeds game, we’ve moved forward, and he featured in the match against Brighton."
