Arne Slot is keeping his cards close to his chest over Mohamed Salah's involvement in Liverpool's final Premier League fixture of the season, refusing to confirm whether the departing forward will play any part against Brentford at Anfield on Sunday.

The game carries significant weight beyond the sentiment of a farewell. Liverpool need at least a point to secure Champions League qualification for next season, and Slot insists that objective — not the theatre surrounding Salah's exit — is the priority heading into the afternoon.

"I never say anything about team selection," Slot said when pressed on whether Salah would feature, leaving supporters none the wiser over whether the 33-year-old will get a send-off from the Kop after nine years at the club.

A season that has soured

The relationship between Slot and Salah has been strained for some time. Earlier in the campaign, Salah was left out of the squad for a Champions League fixture away at Inter Milan after publicly stating in an interview that his bond with the head coach had broken down. Then, just last weekend, the Egyptian used social media to call on Liverpool to change their style of play — a message widely read as a pointed critique of how Slot has set the team up.

Slot acknowledged the tension without inflaming it. "I don't think it is that important what I feel about it," he said. "What is important is that we qualify for the Champions League on Sunday and I prepare Mo and the whole team in the best possible way for the game."

The manager also admitted his own frustrations with Liverpool's performances this term, conceding he has not been satisfied with the brand of football on show. "I haven't liked a lot of the way we played this season," Slot said candidly, adding that he intends to evolve the squad and style over the summer.

Shared interests, for now

Despite the public noise, Slot was keen to frame his relationship with Salah around a common goal. "We both want what's best for the club, we both want the club to be successful and that's the main aim," he said.

Whether that shared interest translates into Salah pulling on a Liverpool shirt one final time remains to be seen. Slot hinted at the poignancy of the moment with a telling turn of phrase, expressing hope that the forward — "if he's somewhere else at that moment in time" — would also come to appreciate the style Liverpool are building towards.

Liverpool were left frustrated midweek after failing to wrap up Champions League qualification with a win over Aston Villa, meaning Sunday's home clash with Brentford is still a must-not-lose occasion. Slot's immediate focus, whatever the backdrop, is firmly on the points.

For Liverpool supporters, though, the question of whether one of the club's greatest modern servants walks out at Anfield one last time — and how the crowd responds if he does — may well overshadow the final afternoon of a turbulent season.

FAQs

Frequently asked

Will Mohamed Salah play against Brentford on Sunday?
Arne Slot has refused to confirm whether Salah will feature in Liverpool's final Premier League game of the season. The manager says he never reveals team selection in advance.
Why is Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool?
Salah's contract at Anfield expires this summer after nine years at the club. No new deal has been agreed, making the Brentford match potentially his last appearance for Liverpool.
Do Liverpool need to win against Brentford to qualify for the Champions League?
Liverpool need at least a point from their home game against Brentford on Sunday to confirm their place in next season's Champions League.