Liverpool are heading into a decisive weekend, not only because Brighton arrive at Anfield in a crucial Premier League clash, but because Friday morning is expected to bring clarity to one of the biggest internal crises the club has faced in recent seasons. Manager Arne Slot has confirmed he will hold face-to-face talks with Mohamed Salah after a turbulent week that has thrown the winger’s future into uncertainty.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and carved his name into club history with record-breaking goal tallies, has been at the centre of dramatic developments after Saturday’s 1–1 draw against Leeds. The 33-year-old Egyptian accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” following his omission from key fixtures and the escalating tension behind closed doors. His shock exclusion from the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Inter Milan only deepened speculation that all is not well between Liverpool’s biggest star and the club’s new manager.
Yet, speaking to BBC Sport, Slot insisted there are “no reasons to not want Mohamed Salah to stay” at Liverpool, and he remains hopeful that Friday’s private meeting could be the turning point that steers the storm toward calmer waters.
Salah’s Outburst Sparks Unprecedented Turmoil
Saturday’s post-match mixed-zone interview at Elland Road was the first major sign that the relationship between Salah and the new Liverpool regime had soured. In unusually stern comments, Salah stated he had “earned his place” in the team and expressed frustration at being left on the bench in recent fixtures. He then suggested he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club, a phrase that immediately sent shockwaves through the fanbase.
For a player who has often preferred to speak through performances rather than public statements, the outburst signaled deep dissatisfaction. Tensions had reportedly been simmering behind the scenes for weeks, particularly after Slot opted to name Salah as an unused substitute in two of Liverpool’s past three league games—a rare sight for a player long considered untouchable in the starting XI.
Salah’s last appearance came on 3 December against Sunderland, where he came on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw. His last start dates back to Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven on 26 November.
The combination of reduced minutes, tactical disagreements, and contract expectations appears to have culminated in a strained relationship that neither side can afford to mishandle.
Slot: “I Will Have a Conversation With Mo”
Arne Slot, speaking to the media ahead of the Brighton match, maintained a composed tone despite the wave of scrutiny. Asked repeatedly about the state of his relationship with Salah, the Dutchman chose caution over confrontation.
“I have no reasons to not want him to stay,” Slot emphasized. “I will have a conversation with Mo.”
Slot revealed that communication between Salah, his representatives, and the club’s hierarchy intensified after the Sunderland game, suggesting that concerns about his role and playing time did not begin this week but have been part of ongoing discussions.
Although Liverpool decided not to take Salah to Milan for the Champions League fixture, Slot clarified it was a joint decision involving the sporting director Richard Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards. However, he reiterated that team selection remains his responsibility.
“When it comes to the decision-making of the line-up or the squad, they leave that open to me,” Slot said, subtly indicating he is not being pressured from above to drop or select the Egyptian star.
Departure for AFCON Looms Over Talks
Complicating matters further, Salah is scheduled to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, joining Egypt as they prepare for the continental tournament. Depending on Egypt’s progression, Salah might not return to Merseyside until after the final on 18 January.
This timing places added significance on Friday’s meeting—if relationships crumble further, Salah may have already played his last match for the Reds without having a proper farewell at Anfield.
When asked earlier in the week whether he believed Salah had already played his final game for Liverpool, Slot admitted he had “no clue.” However, he remained optimistic, stating he believes strongly in “the possibility of a player returning to the fold.”
Those words suggested the door remains open for reconciliation, though the situation remains precarious.
Performance Questions and Saudi Interest Add Pressure
Salah has scored five goals in 18 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League this season. While modest by his elite standards, the numbers hardly reflect a steep decline—yet Slot’s tactical reshuffle and high-pressing system may be factors in Salah’s reduced role.
Compounding matters is renewed interest from Saudi Arabia. The winger was heavily pursued last summer, with Saudi Pro League clubs reportedly willing to offer astronomical figures to lure him away. That interest has never faded. The league’s chief executive Omar Mugharbel confirmed this week that Salah remains a primary target.
While Liverpool resisted last year’s advances, rejecting what was rumored to be a record-breaking bid, Salah’s current contract—signed in April—runs only two more years. Any future uncertainty could push both player and club to reconsider their long-term alignment.
A Grueling Week at Anfield: Analyst Perspective
BBC analysts described the situation as “baffling,” given the magnitude of Salah’s contribution to Liverpool’s modern success. With 250 goals in 420 appearances, he sits among the club’s greatest-ever forwards. For fans to be unsure whether Saturday’s clash with Brighton might be his farewell reflects just how unstable the situation has become.
Slot has been under continuous pressure from reporters, repeatedly pressed about whether he still maintains a functional relationship with Salah. On Friday, when asked directly whether he and Salah indeed maintain a relationship after the Egyptian claimed the opposite, Slot laughed and said responding would be “useless.” The remark hinted at deeper tension while offering no new clarity.
Analysts believe that Friday’s meeting could set the tone for the rest of the season—either smoothing tensions or widening the cracks beyond repair.
“It’s been a gruelling week for Liverpool,” analysts noted, “and Slot knows inflaming the situation is the last thing the club needs.”
The sentiment suggests a shared desire for a resolution, even if the path to one remains uncertain.
Why Saturday’s Match Could Be Pivotal
Liverpool host Brighton at 15:00 GMT in a match that holds major implications for their league campaign. After back-to-back draws, the Reds need a statement performance to regain momentum.
Salah’s potential involvement dramatically raises the stakes. If he plays—even from the bench—it would signal that Friday’s talks succeeded in calming tensions. If he is excluded once more, speculation about a permanent split will reach new heights.
Slot himself acknowledged that Salah could still feasibly feature on Saturday, saying it was “not impossible.” That alone suggests the rift, while serious, has not yet closed completely.
A Crisis That Could Still Find a Happy Ending
Despite the drama, there are signs that the situation may be salvageable. Salah’s emotional reaction after the Leeds game indicates he still feels deeply connected to the club. Slot’s consistent message—that he wants Salah to stay—demonstrates the manager’s willingness to reconcile.
If Friday’s talks succeed in resetting expectations and clearing the misunderstandings of the past few weeks, Liverpool could move forward with one of the world’s most gifted forwards reintegrated into the squad.
Yet the fragility of the moment cannot be understated. With AFCON departure imminent and Saudi clubs circling once more, Liverpool must tread carefully to avoid turning a temporary dispute into a permanent split.
For now, fans can only wait—and hope—that the situation finds the “happy ending” analysts believe is still possible.
