The gloves are off. Arne Slot has finally spoken about the Mohamed Salah situation - and things are about to get very interesting at Anfield.
The Dutch boss faced the media on Friday ahead of tomorrow's clash with Brighton, and the questions about his Egyptian superstar came thick and fast.
The club made the call
First things first - Slot confirmed that the decision to leave Salah out of the Inter Milan squad was not his alone.
"Who took the decision? I believe the club decided, and I was part of it too. We decided not to include him in the match against Inter. I am always in contact with them. Regarding team selections and squads, that is always my responsibility. I speak more often with Richard Hughes than with Michael Edwards."
So there it is. Liverpool's hierarchy backed Slot's decision to banish Salah after his explosive interview. This is not just a manager falling out with a player - this is the entire club taking a stand.
Crunch talks this morning
But here is where it gets really juicy. Slot revealed he was meeting Salah on Friday morning, and the outcome of that conversation will decide everything.
"I am going to have a conversation with Mo this morning and the result will determine what happens next. What I need is a conversation with him. The next time I speak about Mo, it will be in his presence, not here. I do not have much else to add."
Translation? Salah needs to apologise, or he is finished at Liverpool. The club is not backing down. Either the Egyptian King gets back in line, or he can find himself a new kingdom.
Does Slot want him to stay?
When asked directly if he wanted Salah to remain at the club, Slot gave a politician's answer.
"Do I want him to stay? That is another way of asking the question, but the next time I speak about Mo, it will be in his presence. I see no reason not to want him to stay."
Read between the lines there. "I see no reason not to want him to stay" is hardly a ringing endorsement, is it? Compare that to how managers usually talk about their star players. This is ice cold.
No victory lap
Some journalists tried to suggest Liverpool's 1-0 win at Inter was revenge for Salah's outburst. Slot was having none of it.
"It is pointless to ask that question. This club has won many matches with Mo, so there is your answer."
Fair point. But the fact that question was even asked tells you everything about the toxic atmosphere surrounding this situation.
What happens next
Salah's stats this season tell their own story - just 5 goals and 3 assists in 19 matches. For a player of his calibre, that is nowhere near good enough. No wonder Slot has been leaving him on the bench.
The 33-year-old is under contract until 2027, but links to Saudi Arabia and other Premier League clubs are growing stronger by the day. Van Dijk has backed his teammate publicly, but the dressing room is reportedly split.
Liverpool face Brighton tomorrow with or without their Egyptian King. One thing is certain - that Friday morning conversation will go down in Anfield history, one way or another.
Pass the popcorn. This is box office stuff.