Mohamed Salah is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and Jamie Carragher believes the forward will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, but not in January
Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent
18:02, 03 Jan 2026
Jamie Carragher has made a big prediction for 2026
Jamie Carragher has made a big prediction for 2026(Image: Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher reckons Mohamed Salah will embark on his "long goodbye" at Liverpool upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, predicting the Egypt international will depart at the end of the season.
If Carragher's prediction comes true, Liverpool fans will not have to worry about losing Salah, 33, during the January transfer window, with the team struggling for goals. The Reds were forced to settle for a goalless draw last time out against Leeds.
Salah, who is currently competing at AFCON in Morocco, hasn't been in Liverpool's starting XI since late November and has watched the team string together an eight-game unbeaten streak with him largely sidelined in recent weeks.
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The club's third-highest goalscorer in history came off the bench in the 1-1 stalemate with Sunderland last month and was introduced following an early injury to Joe Gomez in the 2-0 triumph over Brighton.
But Arne Slot's squad have climbed into the Premier League's top four during Salah's spell on the sidelines.
Salah sparked controversy last month when he claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" at Liverpool following a dismal run of nine losses in 12 matches, which preceded him being dropped for three consecutive fixtures.
Mohamed Salah is currently with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations
Mohamed Salah is currently with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations(Image: Getty Images)
"Will Mohamed Salah still be at Liverpool on February 1, 2026 or September 1, 2026? Yes, and no," Carragher wrote in his recent column for The Telegraph.
"Given Liverpool’s injury situation following Alexander Isak’s broken leg, the club cannot afford to allow Salah to leave in the January transfer window."
Carragher then claimed "the next few months could turn into a long goodbye for Salah."
He added: "The current Liverpool era will be forever synonymous with Salah. He is one of the all-time greats of Liverpool and the Premier League, so an emotional farewell at the final game of this season would be the perfect, choreographed send-off."
Carragher, who was making his predictions for 2026 in his column for The Telegraph, continued: "My biggest footballing wish for 2026?
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"Wigan Athletic to win promotion from League One (Carragher's son, James, plays for Wigan) into the Championship, Liverpool to win the Champions League, and for Gary Neville to stop predicting Manchester United are going to finish in the top four.
"At least two of those three have a chance of happening."
Liverpool remains without Salah and will return to action on Sunday, when the Reds take on Fulham in London.