Liverpool supporters are set for a nervous wait to find out whether Mohamed Salah will make a January exit.
Things have begun to unravel for the Egyptian at Anfield after he took aim at the club’s hierarchy following three matches out of the team.
Having been punished with a one-game exile from the Liverpool squad, Salah made his return to the pitch on Saturday, playing more than an hour of the Reds’ 2-0 win over Brighton.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?
421 appearances
250 goals
114 assists
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Despite Arne Slot bringing him back into the fold, there remains a genuine possibility that Salah has made his last appearance for Liverpool.
As the 33-year-old prepares to take part in AFCON with Egypt, his representatives are due to embark on crunch talks with the Reds. But in the event that Salah does depart, journalist Fabrizio Romano says he absolutely will not be heading back to Italian football.
Mohamed Salah will not return to Italy
In some ways, Liverpool owe a debt to both Roma and Fiorentina, who gave Salah back his confidence after a disheartening spell at Chelsea in the early 2010s.
However, while those clubs – and others in Italy – would no doubt love to see the Liverpool legend return to Serie A, Romano says any suggestions that Salah might come back are ‘pure science fiction.’
Mohamed Salah celebrates with Francesco Totti after scoring for Roma against Bologna in the Serie A match at Stadio Olimpico
Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: When will Mohamed Salah return to Liverpool? All the key dates as Egypt aim for eighth AFCON title
“As of today guys, whatever happens in the next few weeks, whether Salah leaves Liverpool or not, it seems to me that the Salah deal for Italy is pure science fiction,” the journalist told his Italian language YouTube channel on Monday.
“Today, no Italian club has even called for Salah because everyone knows that his salary is completely out of reach. Should he move, Salah would have very important offers from Saudi but it will depend on what happens in contacts between his agents and Liverpool in the coming weeks.
“Salah returning to Italy after his experiences with Fiorentina and Roma does not seem like a credible scenario, so let’s avoid selling dreams and leave aside the name of Momo Salah.”
Liverpool should sign Thiago Silva on a free in January. Prove me wrong
Thiago Silva to Liverpool quote
Sergio Ramos is available too 🫢
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Is it possible for Salah to stay in Europe?
As Salah contemplates a potential move away from Liverpool, he is also set to decide on leaving European football in general.
As Romano alludes to, there is simply not a side in the European game who could offer the Egypt captain what he would want in terms of wages.
Had there been a Real Madrid or a Barcelona on the table for Salah, or even a big Italian side such as AC or Inter Milan, the Liverpool icon may have had an easier decision.
However, if Salah chooses to walk away from Liverpool, he is also likely choosing to end his career at the top of the game.
If this is the end for Salah and the Reds, it would be nice to see him head back to his roots and play in Serie A once again. But that is simply not realistic. It is likely Saudi or bust.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox