Mohamed Salah’s situation at Liverpool has dominated the Premier League headlines earlier this month, sparking intense debate about his future at Anfield. The drama began after Salah’s comments at Elland Road, which left fans and pundits questioning the Egyptian forward’s relationship with manager Arne Slot. Yet, almost as quickly as the storm erupted, it appeared to subside when Salah was included in the squad for the clash against Brighton, giving the impression that some sort of reconciliation had occurred.
However, while Salah and Slot may have smoothed over the immediate tensions, insiders suggest the underlying issues may have simply been postponed. All top-tier footballers carry a certain degree of ego, and if Salah finds himself regularly used as a substitute upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations next month, there is a strong possibility that friction could resurface.
Salah is not typically vocal about his personal future unless he wants to send a deliberate message – just ask Jamie Carragher. Nevertheless, this year he has been candid on multiple occasions. When he signed a contract renewal in April, committing his future to Liverpool until 2027, he spoke with excitement about the prospect of playing for the club for a full decade. “We have a great team now,” Salah said at the time. “Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career. If I don’t believe that I would have not signed. I believe the team can win trophies. With the support of the fans and the city, and the support they always give us in the games, I believe we can win many trophies in the next years.”
At the time, Slot had also spoken positively about his working relationship with Salah, highlighting their communication both on and off the pitch. “Him and I, I think we have a good relationship. We understand each other on and off the field, which is very important. We have good communication; we discuss almost everything he wants me to improve, and he wants from me. And also if I feel there’s something in doubt, I go and speak to him. That’s a great asset to have also as a manager,” Slot said.
Fast forward eight months, and the tone from Salah regarding his relationship with Slot and his future prospects at Liverpool has shifted. After being benched for a third consecutive Premier League game – having started every league match since Slot’s arrival – Salah expressed his frustration publicly. “Now I’m sitting on the bench, and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. I got a lot of promises in the summer, and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they keep the promise.”
Salah went on to convey a sense of betrayal and uncertainty. “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club. This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much, I will always do. I called my mum yesterday – you guys didn’t know if I would start or not, but I knew. Yesterday I said to them, come to the Brighton game. I don’t know if I am going to play or not, but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now. I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
When Salah returned to face Brighton, he delivered one of his best performances of a turbulent season, and the farewell to the fans felt more celebratory than final. Despite this, he declined to answer reporters’ questions post-match, jokingly remarking: “Oh God! Two weeks in a row? No.”
Now, with Salah representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool supporters are left in suspense, waiting for his return to see what the future holds. Will he resume his role as Liverpool’s talisman, or will this episode mark the start of a deeper rift? Until then, the Premier League and Anfield alike are left with more questions than answers about the fate of one of football’s brightest stars.