Christmas is approaching, and it’s not just the nights that are getting colder. Tension is rising at an underperforming Liverpool, where the relationship between manager Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah appears frostier than ever.
With the club’s long-time talisman reportedly considering tearing up his contract, Liverpool could be heading for a Christmas to forget.
Transfer News Blitz writer Ellie McDevitt breaks down the whirlwind of drama from the past few days.
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Where it all went wrong
The saga ignited when Slot made the bold decision to bench Salah for Liverpool’s trip to the London Stadium, leaving him unused in their 2–0 victory over West Ham.
The situation escalated when Salah was again left on the bench against newly promoted Sunderland and Leeds. Frustration boiled over, leading the forward to state:
“I don’t know why. It seems to me that someone doesn’t want me at the club.
“It is not acceptable for me. I have done so much for this club – I earned this position.”
Those comments led to him being omitted entirely from the squad for the Reds’ Champions League victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro.
Slot’s Reaction
Once Salah’s remarks became public, questions inevitably headed Slot’s way.
Speaking after Liverpool’s Champions League fixture, the Dutchman was firm in his response:
“Everybody can have an opinion, but it is also up to us to react – and in the case of Mo Salah, we cannot accept that.”
Slot offered no further indication of whether disciplinary action would continue, but his stance made clear that tensions are far from resolved.
The future
With AFCON approaching, many are asking whether Salah has already said his goodbyes.
In a recent interview, the 33-year-old revealed he had asked his family to travel to Anfield for the upcoming match against Brighton, saying:
“I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans for AFCON. I don’t know what will happen when I am there.”
Speculation surrounding his future has intensified in the last 24 hours, with multiple outlets reporting that his representatives are preparing to request a mutual termination of his contract.
With several Saudi clubs maintaining a strong interest, one question now looms large:
Have we already seen Mohamed Salah’s last game in a Liverpool shirt?
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