Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Street on Saturday was virtually extra notable for what did not occur than the chaos on the pitch. Benched for the third consecutive match, membership legend Mohamed Salah went as an unused sub for the second time within the final three matches. Salah has now did not register a purpose contribution in seven consecutive matches in all competitions, and he solely has 5 targets and three assists all season, whereas Liverpool have slipped, not simply out of the title race, however out of the European locations altogether.
It has been a making an attempt season for the Reds, and following the draw, Salah has opened the door as to whether this may very well be the top of his time at Liverpool. Whereas Salah has been a crucial a part of Liverpool’s assault, scoring 29 targets and helping 18 extra en path to profitable the title final season, being on the bench these previous few video games is attending to him, and the Egyptian sounded off following the loss to Leeds.
“It looks like the membership has thrown me beneath the bus. That’s how I’m feeling. I feel it is rather clear that somebody needed me to get all the blame,” Salah mentioned.
Whereas Salah did not specify who’s making an attempt to get him out of the membership, he did admit that his relationship with supervisor Arne Slot has deteriorated this season.
“I mentioned many instances earlier than that I had a superb relationship with the supervisor, and unexpectedly, we have no relationship,” Salah mentioned. “I do not know why, but it surely appears to me, how I see it, that somebody would not need me within the membership.”
Salah leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations to characterize Egypt on Dec. 15, and in the event that they advance to the ultimate, he would not return to Liverpool till after Jan. 18 of 2026, when the winter switch window can be open. Regardless of simply signing a contract extension with Liverpool on the finish of final season, this may very well be the top of Salah at Anfield. He nonetheless has two video games earlier than AFCON, an away journey to Inter within the Champions League on Tuesday, adopted by a house conflict with Brighton on Dec. 13
Feedback like those made Saturday are powerful ones to return again from, they usually did not finish there for Salah.
“I mentioned to [my family], come to the Brighton sport. I do not know if I’m going to play or not however I’m going to take pleasure in it. In my head, I will take pleasure in that sport as a result of I do not know what will occur now,” Salah mentioned. “I can be in Anfield to say goodbye to the followers and go to the Africa Cup. I do not know what will occur when I’m there.”
With earlier curiosity from the Saudi Professional League, if Liverpool had been to determine that it is time to transfer on, they may seemingly discover a suitor to take the Egyptian. Even at 33, Salah has extra to provide, however Father Time is catching as much as him within the Premier League, so a January transfer may gain advantage all events.
“In soccer, you by no means know. I do not settle for this example. I’ve executed a lot for this membership,” Salah mentioned when requested if this could be his final sport for the membership.
It looks like Salah is keen to struggle for his place at Liverpool, but it surely has created fairly a scenario for Slot and the membership. Enjoying Salah after this virtually makes it appear to be Slot is caving to him, however then not choosing Salah would deepen the spiral that’s occurring. When Slot took over for Jurgen Klopp forward of final season, he was anticipated to face adversity, however with the Reds driving a clean journey to the title, he prevented the worst of it.
That each one appears to be coming to a head this season, as with Liverpool not profitable, cracks within the basis of the membership are there as they wrestle to combine Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Beforehand, this was Salah’s crew, and with the additions and choices made, it has morphed into Slot’s crew. That’d be one factor if Liverpool had been maintaining tempo with the title contenders, but when it comes right down to Salah versus Slot in an influence wrestle, it is unclear what course the entrance workplace would lean.
Liverpool have hardly ever been a crew to dismiss a supervisor in the midst of a season, particularly when somebody has constructed up as a lot goodwill as Slot did in his first 12 months in cost, however one thing additionally might want to give right here between the duo if the scenario is fastened. If it would not get fastened, Liverpool’s points from this season will develop they usually may discover themselves fairly a protracted rebuild down the street.
