Mohamed Salah cast his own Liverpool future into doubt with his comments after the recent 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
After losing his place in the squad against Inter Milan, Salah returned against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Arne Slot held talks with the Liverpool winger in the build-up to the match, and he was brought on after Joe Gomez suffered an injury in the first half.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Name the players who actually had a better 2024/25 season than Mo Salah ⚽
The Best FIFA Men’s 11 2025
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Achraf Hakimi
Willian Pacho
Virgil van Dijk
Nuno Mendes
Cole Palmer
Vitinha
Pedri
Jude Bellingham
Ousmane Dembele
Lamine Yamal
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool
Credit: Chris Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
He has now left to compete at the AFCON, but talk regarding a potential exit continues to roll on as we head towards January.
Previous reports have said that Liverpool want to keep Salah, but a fresh update on when he could potentially leave has now been shared.
Why Liverpool could let Mohamed Salah leave in 2026
Speaking to KS1 TV, journalist Steve Kay claimed that when the 33-year-old signed his new deal in 2025, there was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place between the player and club that he could leave after one year.
He said: “Personally, at this stage, from what I’m hearing, I don’t think he will [leave in January]. Things seem to have calmed down a bit. As I’ve said, we’re waiting to see, but I’m told there was a gentleman’s agreement that he could leave.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
“He wanted a three-year contract with the option to leave after a year, but Liverpool said no – you can have two years and leave after one. That was the compromise.
“When Salah came out and suggested someone wanted him out of the club, I think that went a bit over the top. It wasn’t that they wanted him out; it was that they didn’t want to give him the contract he wanted.
“And I understand that. Three years is too much, because you end up paying him to leave after a year, and then paying him off on top of that. So I get it completely.”
Who would be the best Mohamed Salah replacement? 🤔
Jamie Carragher looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield
Credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Who can Liverpool sign to replace Mohamed Salah
Whatever happens on the back of his return from AFCON, the signs do point towards Salah leaving the club at some point in 2026.
But there are a few potential options that the Reds could turn to replace one of their all-time top goalscorers.
Antoine Semenyo is linked and would bring versatility to Slot’s frontline as he can also play on the left and even through the middle.
Meanwhile, there has been talk of a four-man attacking shortlist at Liverpool, which features Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.
Kenan Yildiz, Rodrygo, and Iliman Ndiaye of Everton were mooted as other potential options.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox