Mohamed Salah has never been wary of letting his feelings be known
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter and Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s
10:00, 11 Dec 2025Updated 10:13, 11 Dec 2025
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks on form the bench prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on December 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
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Mohamed Salah has caused an internal battle at Liverpool(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah made a desperate televised plea to quit his boyhood Egyptian club years before securing his transfer to Liverpool. In remarkable footage from Egyptian television in 2012, the then-19-year-old was representing Al Mokawloon when his career took an unusual turn.
After scoring seven times in his opening 15 league matches, the Egyptian football season was shut down following the horrific Port Said tragedy. The disaster unfolded after Al Masry's 3-1 victory over Al Ahly where thousands of Al Masry supporters stormed the pitch, resulting in 74 deaths and over 500 injuries.
This catastrophe prompted a two-year suspension of the domestic league, forcing Salah to find opportunities elsewhere to keep his footballing dreams alive. Focused on not letting anything derail his European ambitions, the future Liverpool winger begged an Al Mokawloon official to sanction his transfer to Swiss outfit Basel.
Mo Salah speaking.
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The Liverpool star begged an Al Mokawloon official to let him sign for Basel(Image: Reddit)
The club's hierarchy allegedly demanded £2.6million (€3m) from Basel for Salah's signature, with the youngster confessing his footballing dreams could crumble without the chance to move. He desperately argued "but I won't be able to do anything" regarding the prospect of staying in Egypt during the two-year prohibition.
Salah's appeals were heeded when he signed a four-year contract with Basel in April 2012. His stint in Switzerland was short-lived, as he secured an £11m transfer to Premier League heavyweights Chelsea less than two years later.
However, after flattering to deceive at Stamford Bridge, Salah had spells with Fiorentina and Roma before joining Liverpool three years later.
Mo Salah speaking.
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Mohamed Salah has spoken out once again(Image: viaplay)
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While he hasn't announced his departure from Liverpool, Salah's future at Anfield is uncertain following his public criticism of the club and manager Arne Slot after being left out of the starting line-up for three consecutive league matches. After Liverpool's 3-3 draw against Leeds United, the 33-year-old shared his anger at the Dutchman's decision to sideline him.
Salah said: "I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. That's the third time. It's the first time in my career I think. I am very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over years, especially last season, It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That's how I feel [about] it. Someone wants me to get all the blame.
"The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I'm on bench so I can say they haven't kept those promises. I used to have a good relationship (with Slot). Now we don't have any relationship and I don't know why. Seems like someone does not want me in the club. I called my mum and dad and told them to come to the Brighton game. It doesn't matter if I play or not. I'm going to enjoy it."