Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview has rocked Liverpool, and the club now faces a pivotal turning point about his future. The Egyptian forward spent Sunday training at the Kirkby complex with teammates who were not involved in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Leeds, leaving the question of where his base will be in the near term unsettled.
Liverpool chose to absorb the fallout from Salah’s controversial post-match comments at Elland Road, while recognizing that major decisions loom. The most immediate dilemma is whether Salah, the club’s third-highest all-time scorer, will travel with the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Inter, the Serie A leaders. The players are due to train at Kirkby on Monday before heading to Italy, with Arne Slot holding a pre-match press conference in Milan later that evening. Regardless of Salah’s involvement, the media spotlight will be intense.
Over the weekend, Salah engaged in extended talks with his Dubai-based agent, Ramy Abbas, after being left out for three consecutive games and accusing Liverpool of scapegoating him. He suggested that tensions with Slot had grown, and left open the possibility of a January departure. The Athletic spoke to several sources who asked for anonymity, revealing:
- Senior officials were not blindsided by Salah’s decision to speak out, but the breadth of his attack surpassed expectations.
- Some teammates had sensed tension after Slot informed Salah he’d be benched for Leeds.
- Fenway Sports Group (FSG) continue to back Slot, despite the controversy and the disappointing run of results.
- Liverpool viewed Salah’s absence as a tactical measure rather than a signal he had fallen out of the first-choice lineup.
- With AFCON looming, there is genuine interest in Salah from Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer clubs should he pursue a move.
The piece chronicles a 48-hour stretch in which Salah’s statements, team dynamics, and strategic shifts collided, and it also examines possible courses of action.
Two days after Salah’s interview, the mood at Liverpool is one of shock. Rewind to April, and Salah was lifting the Premier League trophy at Anfield, praising Slot for helping him reach such heights. Abbas had publicly backed Slot earlier in the year, calling him “excellent at his job.” Salah reflected on that success in an April interview with Sky Sports, noting that Slot had managed to maximize his output: “As long as you shield me defensively, I’ll deliver offensively.” The results followed: a Premier League Golden Boot with 29 goals, 18 assists, and record-breaking goal involvement in a 38-game season, along with multiple individual accolades.
This season has been tougher. The loss of Diogo Jota hit Salah personally, and a summer overhaul totaling roughly £450 million reshaped Liverpool’s squad chemistry. A notable incident occurred in September when a fan account teased a signings upgrade—Salah retorted, urging celebration of signings without undermining champions. It offered a window into his mindset: he felt last season’s team revolved around him, and with Diaz, Nunez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving, Liverpool’s new signings (Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike) altered the dynamics, restricting Salah’s scoring avenues. He has just four league goals this season.
Those close to Salah have observed the change in mood. National team coach Hossam Hassan told The Athletic that Salah remains a top player with a strong mentality, suggesting a potential collaboration with Egypt if he stays. Yet behind the scenes, Slot’s changes—moving Szoboszlai wide to balance the attack and make Liverpool more compact—have delivered mixed results but produced defensive improvements.
If Salah’s aim was to pressure Slot or destabilize his position, early signs suggest that objective may not be met. Liverpool’s leadership remains resolute in backing Slot, with internal belief that Salah’s absence is a short-term tactical decision and not a signal of looming dismissal. Slot publicly defended Salah’s professionalism when pressed about his absence, praising his long-term value to the club.
Within the dressing room, Salah commands respect but has few close friends. His mood reportedly shifted upon learning he would not start against Leeds, and his decision to speak out was anticipated by teammates who had noticed the growing tension.
How the squad responds to Salah’s outburst remains unclear. One veteran agent described the impact as limited, saying Salah’s contributions over the years have earned him enduring respect.
Looking ahead, the big question is whether Edwards (Richard Hughes) can broker a peace, or if the relationship has already reached an irreversible point. If Salah remains intent on leaving, the January window could become a strategic opportunity to secure a lucrative deal and reinvest in a replacement such as Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
Previously, Liverpool rebuffed a £150 million approach from Al Ittihad in 2023, and interest in Salah has only intensified. In a Saudi context, such a move would be financially rewarding but would also mean stepping away from the Premier League and Champions League stages.
Salah has shown a reluctance to abandon the Premier League, valuing his settled life in Cheshire with his wife and daughters. A move to the United States is another avenue being discussed, with MLS clubs like San Diego FC, Chicago Fire, and others reportedly weighing up a potential deal. San Diego, under Egyptian-British billionaire Mohamed Mansour, has signaled a willingness to invest in top talent to elevate the club’s profile. Chicago Fire, which had previously pursued Salah, remains a potential suitor should Salah reassess his situation.
In the near term, Salah’s Africa Cup of Nations duties will keep him away from Merseyside until the tournament concludes, likely delaying any decisive resolution. Whether that interval provides enough time for wounds from Saturday’s events to heal remains to be seen.
Additional reporting by Gregg Evans, Simon Hughes, Paul Tenorio, Mario Corts, Santos, Oliver Kay, and Adam Crafton.
