Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: match review
Mo Salah has been linked with a Liverpool departure to Saudi Arabia after his recent explosive interview.
It was a lap of Anfield that was a goodbye. But whether Mo Salah was saying au revoir for just the next month or the final time as a Liverpool player remains unanswered.
Certainly, Arne Slot hopes that Salah is not bringing the curtain down on his Reds career. Despite the winger’s outburst after a 3-3 draw against Leeds United, claiming he had been ‘thrown under a bus’ and that his relationship with Slot had broken down, the Liverpool head coach opted for magnanimity rather than vengeance.
Granted, there was the punishment of Salah being omitted from Reds’ squad for the 1-0 Champions League win against Inter Milan. But Slot felt that there was no need to exile the Egypt international for any longer. Before Saturday’s clash against Brighton, the Anfield supremo insisted he could not see a reason why he wouldn’t want Salah to stay at the club.
After the 2-0 win over the Seagulls, with Salah introduced from the bench as the first substitute to replace Joe Gomez - and assisting Hugo Ekitike’s second goal - Slot declared there were ‘no issues to resolve’. The Dutchman also stated that he expects to see Salah back on Merseyside after the African Cup of Nations.
But there still remains some uncertainty around Liverpool’s third all-time top scorer future. Salah can no longer be regarded as an out-and-out starter. Despite plundering 34 goals and 23 assists last season, spearheading the Reds to the Premier League title, his form has dropped markedly this campaign.
During his time out of the starting XI, Liverpool have gone five matches unbeaten. If the Reds continue their streak while Salah is representing Egypt, it could be difficult to force his way back into Slot’s main plans. Should Liverpool sign a new forward in January, with Antoine Semenyo linked, then regular starts could be even more difficult to come by.
If Salah does not feel he will get the matches and minutes that he still yearns for, it could be the factor behind a potential exit. Saudi Arabian clubs are said to hold an interest ahead of the January transfer window opening.
The 33-year-old is an icon in the Arab world and the Saudi Pro League would likely make it worthwhile in terms of the package they could offer. Late in summer 2023, Al-Ittihad offered a £150 million fee that was turned down by Liverpool. Per Sky Sports, clubs in the Gulf state would ‘need to have a clear indication that he is ready to play there’ before making a move.
It might get a few tongues wagging that Salah will be in Saudi Arabia in the coming days amid the speculation. Reports in the Middle East suggest that Salah is due to travel to Jeddah before linking up with Egypt’s squad for AFCON in Morocco.
However, if Salah is indeed photographed in Saudi Arabia, it reportedly has nothing to do with a possible transfer. According to Saudi Arabian broadcaster Al-Riyadiya (via winwin.com), the main reason for Salah’s journey will be to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah. It is also suggested that Salah’s visit may not just be for religious purposes but for commercial reasons. He could collaborate with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism given his popularity in the region and globally.
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