Tuesday’s briefing: Mohamed Salah fall-out continues as he misses Milan trip

The fall-out from Mohamed Salah’s post-match interview at Leeds continues to hog the headlines.

The Egyptian striker was left of of Liverpool’s squad to face Inter Milan, while boss Arne Slot admits he is unsure over the star’s Anfield future.

Elsewhere, holders Crystal Palace have been handed a trip to non-league Macclesfield to kick off their FA Cup defence, while Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Manchester United heaped more Premier League woe on rock-bottom Wolves.

Slot unsure over Salah future

Arne Slot admits he has “no clue” whether Mohamed Salah will play for the club again following his explosive outburst against his perceived treatment by the Liverpool head coach but suggested a way back was possible.

Slot insisted his authority had not been undermined by the Egypt international’s comments on Saturday that his relationship with the Dutchman had broken down, that someone at the club was trying to force him out and he had been “thrown under the bus”.

Salah, who travels to the African Nations Cup next Monday, suggested Brighton could be his last game for the Reds but he is unlikely to be given that option after being left out of the squad to face Inter Milan on Tuesday.

Asked whether Salah – who started on the bench for the third successive game at Leeds – had played his last game, Slot said: “I have no clue. I cannot answer that question at this point in time.

“I am a firm believer that there is always a possibility to return for a player. I can leave it with that I think.”

Carragher criticises Salah over post-match comments

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called Salah’s comments “a disgrace” and questioned whether he will play for the club again.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher said: “I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game.

“Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst – I don’t think it was. I think whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he has done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it’s choreographed with his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position.

“What he’s done off the pitch, I think the club have made the right decision in terms of him not going abroad. Whether he will play for Liverpool again, I don’t know.”

Holders Palace must travel to Macclesfield

FA Cup holders Crystal Palace have been handed a trip to sixth-tier Macclesfield in the third round of this year’s competition.

Macclesfield, one of four non-league clubs remaining at the time the draw was made, currently sit 14th in National League North.

In their previous guise as Macclesfield Town, the Silkmen reached the fourth round of the competition in 2013, where they lost to Wigan.

National League South side Weston-super-Mare will travel to League Two Grimsby, who had their own taste of cup glory earlier this season when they knocked Manchester United out of the League Cup.

The draw threw up four all-Premier League ties, topped by Aston Villa’s trip to Tottenham, while Everton face Sunderland, Newcastle take on Bournemouth and Brighton travel to Manchester United.

United ease past woeful Wolves

Bruno Fernandes’ brace helped Manchester United get back to winning ways as rock-bottom Wolves’ wretched campaign continued with a 4-1 loss on a night of protest at Molineux.

Ruben Amorim fumed after last Thursday’s Old Trafford draw with struggling West Ham and would be forgiven for raging at his players midway through Monday’s match.

Fernandes put the visitors into a deserved lead, only for meek stoppage-time defending to allow Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to score Wolves’ first Premier League goal since October 26.

But whatever Amorim said at half-time did the trick, with Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount and Fernandes hitting the target in front of United-supporting world darts champion Luke Littler.

What’s on today

Liverpool hope to put the Salah saga behind them – at least temporarily – when they travel to Inter in the Champions League. Chelsea are also in Italy to face Atalanta, while Tottenham are at home to Slavia Prague. Championship action ought to include Blackburn versus Oxford – pitch permitting.