The explosive saga surrounding Mohamed Salah at Liverpool FC has left fans and pundits buzzing—what's really driving the rift between the club's iconic star and his manager, and could this spell the end of an era at Anfield?
Imagine the scene: Mohamed Salah returned to Liverpool's Kirkby training facility on Sunday afternoon, but uncertainty looms over how much longer this iconic complex will serve as his home base. The Egyptian forward participated in a gentle indoor workout alongside teammates who didn't feature in Saturday's thrilling 3-3 stalemate against Leeds United (for a detailed breakdown of that match, check out our analysis here). For Liverpool as a whole, it felt like a moment to let things simmer after Salah's fiery post-match comments at Elland Road, but massive choices are on the horizon that could reshape the club's future.
One of the most pressing decisions is whether to include Salah—the player who ranks third in Liverpool's all-time goal-scoring records—in the squad heading to Italy for Tuesday's crucial Champions League encounter with Serie A's frontrunners, Inter Milan. The team is set to train at Kirkby at 11:45 AM UK time on Monday, followed by a flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Milan. Arne Slot will hold his pre-match press briefing at San Siro at 6:45 PM UK time, and it's bound to be a media frenzy. The spotlight will be on Salah's situation no matter what, even if he's not present.
On Sunday, Salah engaged in in-depth conversations with his agent, Ramy Abbas, who operates from Dubai. This came after Salah, frustrated by being sidelined for three straight matches, lashed out in his interview, claiming Liverpool had "thrown him under the bus" and made him the fall guy for the team's current woes. He admitted his connection with Slot had deteriorated, hinted that "someone doesn't want me here," and left the possibility of a January departure wide open. To put this in context for newcomers to football drama, this isn't just about a player feeling left out—it's a clash of egos and expectations that can ripple through an entire club.
Drawing from insights provided by multiple sources who requested anonymity to safeguard their relationships, The Athletic has uncovered some revealing details:
- Senior Liverpool staff weren't entirely shocked by Salah's public outburst, though his criticisms of the club and Slot escalated beyond what anyone predicted.
- Fellow players had sensed a shift in Salah's demeanor since Friday, when Slot informed him he'd be starting on the bench against Leeds.
- Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), stand firmly behind Slot amid this uproar and the team's recent form slump.
- The club viewed Salah's benching as a brief tactical adjustment, not a permanent demotion from his starting role.
- There's keen interest from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer teams, especially if Salah pursues a move after captaining Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
But here's where it gets controversial... This 48-hour whirlwind at Liverpool wasn't just about one interview—it was the culmination of tensions building over months. What ignited this firestorm, and where might it lead next?
Two days after what many call one of the most shocking player interviews in Premier League annals, a wave of stunned disbelief hangs over Liverpool. Flash back to April, when Salah was hoisting the Premier League trophy at Anfield, heaping praise on Slot for elevating his game to new peaks. Just two months prior, Abbas had tweeted that Slot was "excellent" at his role. "I told him, 'Rest me defensively, and I'll deliver offensively,'" Salah shared with Sky Sports in April. "He paid attention, and the stats speak for themselves."
That season, Salah didn't just clinch the Premier League Golden Boot with 29 goals; he also earned the Playmaker award for 18 assists, smashing the record for most goal contributions in a 38-game Premier League campaign. He was named Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year and Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year—a testament to his dominance. Yet, this term has been far tougher for everyone at Liverpool, especially Salah, who was deeply affected by the tragic passing of teammate Diogo Jota. A summer overhaul, with a massive £450 million ($600 million) spent on new players, shook up the team dynamics.
In September, a fan's X post gloating about swapping Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak drew a sharp response from Salah: "How about celebrating the new signings without disrespecting the Premier League champions?" This peek into his mindset showed how much he cherished last season's setup, where the team revolved around maximizing his strengths alongside Diaz, Nunez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—all of whom have since left. With Wirtz, Isak, and Hugo Ekitike joining, Liverpool has shifted tactics, making it harder for Salah to find scoring opportunities; he's managed just four Premier League goals so far.
His challenges haven't gone unnoticed. Before the Leeds match, Egyptian national team manager Hossam Hassan told The Athletic during the World Cup draw that he's been in constant touch with Salah through this rough patch. "Mo is a superstar with a strong mindset," Hassan remarked. "He's faced hurdles before and even switched clubs. If he joins me for the national team, we can push forward together and leave club issues behind. He's unbeatable in his position."
Despite the dip in form, Salah started all 12 Premier League games at the start of the season, with no signs of friction with Slot. That changed eight days ago when he was dropped for the West Ham match. His spirits sank further after missing the Sunderland game midweek, but it was being benched throughout the Leeds clash that pushed him over the edge. If Liverpool had clinched a 3-2 victory at Elland Road, Salah might have savored the win instead of delivering such a raw critique. But with another lead slipping away in dramatic fashion—Leeds scored a late equalizer—this became the breaking point amid heightened emotions.
(For context, here's a photo of Leeds celebrating that equalizer, credited to Molly Darlington/Getty Images.)
Club insiders knew that each benching increased the risk of Salah speaking up. His confidence and mindset fuel his elite performance, so it was inevitable he'd address what felt like unfair treatment. From Liverpool's perspective, though, Slot's choice was purely tactical, prioritizing team success after a string of poor results. No one was scheming to push Salah out; his absence was seen as temporary.
Slot aimed to make Liverpool more defensive and organized, moving Dominik Szoboszlai to Salah's right-wing spot for his tireless work rate. Internally, there's optimism that this tweak has paid off—with one win and two draws in the last three games, creating fewer chances for opponents. Slot also needed a strategy for AFCON, starting in Morocco on December 21, and testing it before Salah's departure made sense.
If Salah intended his comments to pressure Slot into an untenable position—a "calculated" move, as one source described it to The Athletic—he's likely to be let down. Slot enjoys full FSG backing, and firing a manager over a player's selection gripe is unheard of, even for a legend like Salah.
Slot has gone out of his way to shield Salah in press conferences. Before the Sunderland match, he said, "Mo has been phenomenal for this club over many years and will continue to be. Of course, no player likes being out of the starting eleven. But his professionalism and support for teammates have been exemplary." Salah earns deep respect from the Liverpool squad, though he has few close confidants. Players noticed his mood shift Friday and expected a public venting soon after, so his Saturday night remarks weren't a surprise. In fact, they diverted attention from the match's blunders, like Ibrahima Konate's errors.
How might this affect team morale? "Honestly, not much," said an agent for a key Liverpool player. "Given everything he's achieved here, no one would dare challenge Mo."
Rewind to April 10: Dubbed the 'Egyptian King' by fans, Salah posed on a throne at Anfield's center circle for an LFCTV video. The next day, his two-year contract extension until 2027 was announced. He noted that his daughter Makka was "overjoyed" to stay near her school friends. "I've had my greatest moments here," he explained. "Eight years in, hopefully ten. I signed because I believe we can secure major titles together."
In a Sky Sports chat with Gary Neville, Salah revealed he initially thought his Liverpool stay beyond 2025 was only a 10% chance. "I understand the club's approach to players over 30," he said. "I never anticipated staying. But from January, it felt like things were improving—we needed time. The club was evaluating if I could still contribute!"
(Photo of Salah lifting the Premier League trophy in May, credited to Michael Regan/Getty Images for the Premier League.)
Negotiations with sporting director Richard Hughes and Abbas—a Colombian lawyer who insists on in-person deals (his WhatsApp note says, "Voice notes ignored. If you're late, I'll leave.")—were tricky. Abbas worried about maintaining Salah's status as one of the world's top earners, around £400,000 weekly plus bonuses. Tensions arose during the 2022 renewal too, with Salah questioning the club's commitment until FSG president Mike Gordon mediated.
Behind the scenes, Slot championed keeping Salah. Fans echoed this, with a Kop banner showing Salah's bow-and-arrow celebration and the plea: 'FSG. He fires a bow. Now give Mo his dough'. For CEO of football Michael Edwards and Hughes, it had to be financially viable. Ultimately, his incredible stats justified the expense. With talks extending to April, they gained a season's worth of data for confidence. His 0.48 assists per 90 minutes in the 2024-25 Premier League was career-best, and 0.77 goals per 90 matched his 2017-18 peak. He led the league in shots (130) and open-play chances created (86).
(Photo of Richard Hughes negotiating Salah's contract, credited to Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images.)
At the time, it seemed obvious. Now? Not so much.
The drawn-out talks sparked public clashes, especially with ex-Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher, who called Salah "selfish" after he hinted in November he was "more out than in" before big games against Real Madrid and Manchester City. Salah hit back on social media, accusing Carragher of being "obsessed." In his Saturday interview, Salah predicted Carragher's criticism but said, "That's fine." Carragher stayed silent during Sunday's Sky coverage but will speak out on Monday Night Football.
Carragher acknowledges his critiques sometimes ruffle the dressing room—Andy Robertson joked on CBS about "getting stick" from the squad. Yet Carragher insists he's just being honest.
And this is the part most people miss... What does the future hold? It hinges on whether Edwards and Hughes can mend fences or if it's too late. If Salah truly wants out, Liverpool could secure a top January transfer fee and invest in alternatives like Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo.
In 2023, Liverpool turned down Al Ittihad's £150 million offer. Saudi interest has grown, with sources saying Al Hilal could afford Salah. Moving east would boost his finances but mean ditching Premier League and Champions League rivalries. Salah, content in Cheshire with wife Magi and daughters, has resisted leaving the Premier League.
For the US, options include San Diego FC—owned by Egyptian-British billionaire Mohamed Mansour, who could lure a compatriot. Despite their academy focus, Mansour told The Athletic, "We're always improving. We'll support the club fully." While Inter Miami (with Messi) has a spot open after Jordi Alba's retirement, sources say they have another player in mind. Chicago Fire, which chased Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne, might revisit interest. Owner Joe Mansueto can splurge, and they approached Salah before his April extension.
(Photo of Mohamed Mansour, San Diego owner, potentially eyeing Salah; credited to Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images.)
Short-term, AFCON awaits, possibly keeping Salah away until late January if Egypt advances to the final, allowing reflection. But will that heal the wounds from West Yorkshire?
As a football enthusiast, I can't help but wonder: Is Salah's outburst a justified stand against unfair treatment, or a risky gamble that could backfire? Do you think Liverpool should prioritize unity over individual grievances, or is it time for a fresh start? Share your thoughts—do you side with Salah, Slot, or somewhere in between? Let's discuss in the comments!
Additional reporting: Gregg Evans, Simon Hughes, Paul Tenorio, Mario Cortegana Santos, Oliver Kay, Adam Crafton
