Dominik Szoboszlai has declined to speculate on Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool, insisting the situation remains a matter between the player, the club and head coach Arne Slot, despite maintaining regular contact with the Egypt forward during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah, 33, is due to return to Merseyside following Egypt’s AFCON campaign, with confirmation expected on Tuesday as to whether he will be included in Liverpool’s squad for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Marseille.
Uncertainty surrounds the forward’s long-term position at Anfield after a forthright interview in which Salah suggested his relationship with Slot had deteriorated. However, Szoboszlai offered no insight into internal discussions.
“That’s between me and him,” the Hungary international said. “He will come back and then we keep going. The decision is between the manager and the club.”
Szoboszlai revealed he remained in close communication with Salah throughout the tournament.
“To be honest, almost every day,” the 25-year-old said. “We speak about everything. I’m following him and I guess he’s following me. We talk a lot.”
Slot, meanwhile, stated last week that he was “happy” to welcome Salah back—an assertion underlined by Liverpool’s recent struggles in front of goal without their talisman.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley highlighted Liverpool’s inefficiency in attack. Despite registering 32 shots, 11 on target and an expected goals figure of 2.95, the Reds found the net only once. Szoboszlai also missed a penalty during the match.
“That was the first time we played really well against a low block and created so many chances,” he said. “We had numbers in the box, crosses and shots. That’s what we have to aim for against Marseille—but they won’t sit in a low block. They try to play out from the back, so we have to be ready for that as well.”
Szoboszlai also addressed criticism from Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane, who accused him of being “disrespectful” during Liverpool’s FA Cup tie last week. Barnsley scored after Szoboszlai attempted a back-heel inside his own penalty area, with Hourihane suggesting such risk would not be taken against elite opposition.
“It’s been a tough week personally,” Szoboszlai admitted. “I made a mistake against Barnsley, but it wasn’t disrespectful. I would do the same against Arsenal, Manchester City or Chelsea.
“I didn’t want to pass it back to Giorgi [Mamardashvili]. I tried to disguise it. Then I missed a penalty against Burnley—but I’ll keep going. I’ll take the next one and I’m confident I’ll score.”
The Burnley miss was only Szoboszlai’s second failure from 22 penalties, and he remains willing to shoulder responsibility from the spot when Salah is absent.
“One hit the post, now the crossbar. The next one is in,” he said. “If Salah comes back, he’s the first penalty taker.”
Szoboszlai also confirmed that talks are ongoing over a new contract, despite his current deal running until 2028.
“He’ll give me advice,” Szoboszlai added of Salah. “He’s missed penalties before, but he forgets what’s happened—and that’s the mentality you need.”
As Liverpool prepare for a pivotal Champions League test, the focus remains on reintegrating Salah, while Szoboszlai’s comments underline both the Egyptian’s influence and the midfielder’s determination to respond positively to recent setbacks.
