Mohamed Salah’s uneasy relationship with Liverpool’s new era took another uncomfortable turn on Saturday afternoon as the Egyptian forward was once again named among the substitutes, this time for the Premier League clash against Brighton at Anfield. Cameras caught a visibly subdued Salah arriving at the stadium, his body language drawing immediate criticism from pundits and reigniting debate over whether his presence has become a growing distraction for the club.

The 33-year-old has endured a turbulent few weeks after being left out of the starting XI for the third consecutive league match during Liverpool’s dramatic 3–3 draw with Leeds last weekend. Following that game, Salah delivered a candid and emotionally charged interview that sent shockwaves through the club, claiming he felt Liverpool had “thrown him under the bus.”

The fallout was swift. Salah did not travel with the squad for the midweek Champions League fixture against Inter Milan, instead remaining behind to train alone at Anfield. Liverpool went on to secure a gritty 1–0 victory at the San Siro, with traveling supporters loudly chanting the name of head coach Arne Slot — a moment many interpreted as a public show of backing for the manager amid the escalating tension.

After what were described as “peace talks” between Salah and Slot on Friday, the forward was reinstated into the matchday squad for what is expected to be his final appearance before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations. Yet his continued omission from the starting lineup against Brighton only added fuel to the fire.

As Salah made his way back into Anfield, Sky Sports pundits Tim Sherwood and Paul Merson did not hold back. Sherwood described the scene as a “poor look,” noting that Salah appeared “miserable” and disconnected, particularly for a senior player of his stature. With four bench appearances in his last five outings, questions are mounting about Salah’s role under Slot.

Merson was even more blunt. Comparing Salah’s demeanor to his own frustration after losing money at a betting shop, the former Arsenal midfielder went on to suggest that Liverpool “can’t have him around the club” if the situation continues to unsettle the squad. His remarks hinted at a belief that the saga has begun to overshadow the team’s performances on the pitch.

The tension between player and manager reached boiling point following Salah’s post-match comments at Elland Road, where he openly questioned his treatment. “I’m very disappointed,” Salah said. “I’ve done so much for this club over the years, especially last season. Sitting on the bench, I don’t understand why. It feels like the club has thrown me under the bus.”

He went further, claiming promises made during the summer had not been honored. “The club promised me a lot. So far, I’ve been on the bench for three games. I can’t say those promises were kept,” he added, also revealing that his relationship with Slot had deteriorated without explanation.

Those comments sparked fierce reactions from Liverpool legends. Jamie Carragher labeled Salah’s remarks a “disgrace,” while Steven Gerrard publicly disagreed with the suggestion that the club had betrayed him. Both emphasized Salah’s immense legacy at Anfield but warned that public criticism risks damaging unity.

Despite the storm, Slot attempted to calm the waters ahead of the Brighton match. The Liverpool manager confirmed that he sees no reason for Salah not to remain at the club and insisted that any issues had been addressed internally. Reports suggest the meeting between the pair was constructive, even if trust has not been fully restored.

Yet uncertainty lingers. With Salah approaching the latter stages of his career and heading to AFCON, speculation around his long-term future is growing. Saudi clubs and MLS sides continue to monitor the situation closely, aware that cracks have appeared in what was once an unbreakable bond between player and club.

For now, Salah remains a Liverpool player — but a frustrated one. As he watched from the bench once more, the sight of a club legend wrestling with his place in a changing team felt symbolic of a transition that may yet end painfully.

Whether this uneasy truce holds, or whether Liverpool’s most iconic modern forward edges closer to the exit door, remains one of the season’s most compelling subplots. One thing is certain: the calm at Anfield is fragile, and every decision from here on carries weight far beyond ninety minutes.