Journalist Graeme Bailey has now dropped a key claim regarding Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future, with the Egyptian’s thought process made clearer.
Salah returned to the Reds’ squad for the 2-0 win at home to Brighton on Saturday, coming on as a first-half substitute and assisting Hugo Ekitike’s second goal of the afternoon.
It was a positive performance from the 33-year-old, with Arne Slot discussing his impact and their relationship to BBC Sport after the game:
“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad. I’ve said many times before what’s said between the two of us, for me that stays between the two of us.
“He was back in the squad and we needed him.
“I think [Salah’s] first touch was almost an assist for [Alexis] Mac Allister. He was constantly involved in the threat we had. It was pleasing to see but also not a surprise because he’s done that many times in a Liverpool shirt.”
Now, according to TEAMtalk‘s Bailey, Salah “will not accept a role as just a squad player” at Liverpool if he is to stay put beyond the January transfer window.
His future is “still far from clear” as he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations, but he has “made it clear” what his stance is about a lack of playing time of late.
Salah no longer untouchable but still a key man
Salah’s form this season has been a far cry from the level he has produced in the past eight years, and in fairness to Slot, he was right in dropping him because of poor performances.
Now 33, the Egyptian is no longer untouchable at Liverpool, and frankly, he has to accept that if he wants to remain a Reds player moving forward.
That’s not to say that he won’t still be a regular starter if he returns to top form, but he cannot expect to play every week based on past performances when he was younger.
The vast majority of Liverpool fans will be hoping Salah stays put, but he has to show Slot that he shouldn’t be considered anything other than one of the first names on his team sheet.