Image Credits: Imago Images
The noise around Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future has noticeably quietened after a much‑needed, football-first week at Anfield. Named in the squad to face Brighton, Salah’s inclusion alone felt like a cooling of tensions following days of scrutiny over his relationship with Arne Slot and persistent speculation about his next move. Any lingering unease was eased further when he came off the bench and immediately made a tangible impact.
Salah slipped straight back into familiar rhythm, supplying the assist for Hugo Ekitike’s second goal in the 2-0 win. It was the sort of contribution Liverpool supporters have seen countless times: intelligent movement, sharp decision-making and a perfectly weighted final ball
That cameo has not solved the bigger questions over his long-term future, but it has shifted the narrative. Instead of fallout and friction, the focus has returned to what Salah does best on the pitch.
Now, though, he heads off to AFCON with Egypt with it not entirely clear if his immediate future remains at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate feels that Salah still wants to stay at Anfield and was asked whether he felt his cameo was a farewell:
“Personally, no, I don’t think so. Today you saw how much he loves this club.”
“What happened with him, you have to understand the frustration sometimes felt by players who have such a career, who have done so much.”
“He is a player that everyone loves, the coach loves, he loves the coach, everyone loves each other at this club.”
However, according to the Athletic, there are still issues to iron out, with Andy Jones reporting that talks between the Anfield club and Salah’s representatives will continue while he’s at AFCON:
“While Salah is away with Egypt, the expectation is that talks are set to continue between the club and the player’s representatives.”
“The player himself will want to focus solely on winning his country’s eighth AFCON title.”
During Egypt’s group stage campaign, Salah is guaranteed to miss the following Liverpool fixtures:
December 20 – Tottenham (A) – Premier League
December 27 – Wolves (H) – Premier League
January 1 – Leeds (H) – Premier League
He obviously could miss a lot more fixtures depending on how far Egypt progress.
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