Salah Future Uncertain Amid Liverpool Team Tensions

ISLAMABAD: Mohamed Salah has cast serious doubt over his future at Liverpool after claiming he has been made the scapegoat for the Premier League champions’ poor performance this season.

In a dramatic statement to reporters following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, Salah revealed that his relationship with manager Arne Slot has broken down. This was the third consecutive match in which the Egyptian star was left out of the starting lineup. Liverpool, struggling with just four wins in 15 games across all competitions, are clearly facing challenges on and off the pitch.

Why Salah Was Dropped

Salah, a Liverpool legend with more than 250 goals for the club, joined the Reds from Roma in 2017. He played a pivotal role in ending Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2020 and was instrumental in their 2019 Champions League triumph.

After an outstanding 2024-25 season, Salah signed a lucrative two-year contract extension in April. However, he has struggled this season, scoring only five goals in 19 appearances. He was dropped for Champions League games against Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt, and Slot eventually removed him from the league lineup following a 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool invested heavily in forwards during the summer, spending £300 million on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak. With Wirtz and Isak gradually adapting, Slot appears to be prioritizing the integration of these new signings over Salah.

“I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It feels like the club has thrown me under the bus. I think it’s clear someone wanted me to take all the blame,” Salah said. “I had a good relationship with the manager before, and now we don’t. I don’t know why, but it feels like someone doesn’t want me at the club.”

What’s Next for Salah?

Salah is set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations after Liverpool’s upcoming matches against Inter Milan in the Champions League and Brighton in the league. He hinted that the Brighton game could be his final appearance at Anfield, with family flying in to witness it.

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“I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said. “I don’t know what will happen while I’m there.”

Potential Destinations

Speculation is growing that Salah could move to the Saudi Pro League, a popular destination for top players due to lucrative contracts. Such a transfer would also allow Liverpool to recoup a significant fee following their heavy summer spending.

Implications for Arne Slot

Slot’s stock among Liverpool fans had already declined after winning just two of his first ten league games in charge. While his position is not immediately at risk, a poor finish could prompt action from the club hierarchy, particularly if Champions League qualification next season is threatened.

Liverpool currently sit eighth in the Premier League, just two points outside the top four. Salah’s public criticism has intensified the pressure on Slot, with fans likely to side with the player widely celebrated as the “Egyptian King” on the Kop.

This situation leaves both Salah and Liverpool at a crossroads, with potential transfers, team dynamics, and managerial pressure all set to shape the coming months.