Mohamed Salah’s status at Liverpool has come under scrutiny following an intense interview he gave after the club’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Leeds. In a refreshingly honest interview, Salah shared his initial reaction to meeting new manager Arne Slot. He stated he was made to feel “thrown under the bus” and commented on their poor working relationship. He suggested that the next Brighton match will be his last appearance at Anfield. This led to some conjecturing over his future at the club.
Salah’s statements arrive amid a season that has been filled with signs of his major drop off. He hasn’t found the back of the net in 18 games this season. Salah extended his stay with Liverpool last summer. His recent benching the last three games makes you wonder what his place on the team is going forward. He has 1.5 years remaining on his deal. This situation is made even worse by recent reports linking a January move to the Saudi Pro League.
Tensions with Arne Slot
Salah’s candid interview left little interpretation as to the growing divide between him and Slot. Yet he singled Slot out as the one colleague in his complaints, indicating at the very least a personal conflict that has boiled over. Notably, Slot was the only one of Salah’s colleagues explicitly named on his way out. Intentional or not, he’s made it ‘me against him,’” said prominent sports commentator Zinny Boswell. This anger just echoes the sentiment that’s increasingly palpable across the fanbase and team, especially as Salah sits out key competitive fixtures.
The manager’s decision to bench Salah during a period when Liverpool struggled to secure points has been a point of contention. Boswell highlighted that “Salah chose to speak out…to deliver a message about his own future at a moment of weakness for Slot.” This quote highlights just why Salah’s interview was so urgent, as he tried to get some idea about his future in the squad.
Arne Slot has been open about the communication breakdown that clearly formed between himself and Salah. We informed him of the news that he would not be going on this trip. That was the last communication from us that he got,” Slot said, referring to the dearth of lines of communication between the two. In contrast, he pointed out, “Before Saturday, the two of us have talked a great deal. Longer at times, shorter at times,” implying that their partnership was previously more amicable.
Future Uncertain
Now, as Salah gears up potentially for his last-ever run out at Anfield, he’s still unsure where he will be next campaign. “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,” he admitted. This announcement is causing speculation as to whether Salah intends to stay with the Reds or look for a new challenge.
The next Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON tournament, starts on December 15th. This event introduces another level of complexity into his plight. Salah’s potential departure looms large, and animosity hangs in the balance. Liverpool supporters can only hope that this indeed signifies the end of his career at Anfield.
“Though he’s going through a rough patch, Salah is determined to return to the field as soon as possible. In football, you never know. I don’t accept this situation. I have done so much for this club,” he expressed, revealing his frustration with the current state of affairs.
Performance and Financial Implications
Salah’s drastic drop in form has alarmed fans and pundits. Scoring only five goals this season, his performance is far from reflective of his capabilities as one of Europe’s top forwards. His exclusion from the starting XI in the biggest games has left many speculating about his future with the team.
Currently reported to be on just over £400,000 a week, Salah’s financial worth to Liverpool is enormous. His performance has suffered, his relationship with management has soured. In short, this has left Liverpool facing an unexpected dilemma over how much they should invest in him moving forward. A January transfer to the Saudi Pro League would be a win-win for both players. This relocation provides an extraordinary opportunity for a reboot.
“Salah just wants to play football again,” wrote Boswell in reflection of Salah’s aspirations. Yet speculation about his future is increasing. Both Salah and Liverpool should work to avoid damaging their legacy and standing with short-sighted actions in this fraught situation.
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