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Mohamed Salah faces an uncertain return to Liverpool following his outburst at the club earlier this month. The 33-year-old voiced his frustration after being left out of several matches during Liverpool’s recent poor run of form, sparking speculation that his Anfield future could be in doubt and that a January move – potentially to Saudi Arabia – might be on the cards. However, the Reds are not believed to be actively pursuing a sale.
Salah’s Egypt side secured qualification for the AFCON knockout stages after winning their first two group games, meaning he will remain in Morocco until at least January 5, and possibly longer if Egypt reach the final. This sets the stage for a potentially tense reunion at Anfield, particularly given his fiery comments following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds.
According to The i Paper, Saudi Pro League interest in Salah has cooled. Clubs have taken note of how his comments contributed to reconciliation, with Salah returning to the team a week later and receiving backing from his teammates. In fact, Liverpool have responded positively on the pitch, winning all four matches since the incident.
Alexander Isak’s injury also reduces competition for attacking positions. “For now, Mo seems to have got his way,” one source who works with the Saudi Pro League tells The i Paper. “It is nothing we haven’t seen before – he likes to stir the pot to get his way. “There is certainly less faith here that a January move could happen as a result.”
A senior official at a top Saudi club, speaking anonymously, suggested that while a signing like Salah would still be desirable, it is no longer seen as the game-changing move it might once have been. “I would say the top teams here, like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, would get into the Premier League top six in England with their current squads, top four in Spain. Higher in Italy,” he tells The i Paper. “Look at the players we have, in their prime. Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix – all elite European players who turned down top European clubs. Salah would be great, but the way we are growing our scouting networks, analytics, ability to attract younger players – Al-Hilal just signed a 22-year-old Brazilian for £40m from Benfica – we are almost there in our development. This must remain our focus.”
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