Mohamed Salah’s time away with Egypt has given Liverpool supporters a welcome break from speculation around his future at the club.
Prior to his exit one month ago, there was a genuine feeling that Salah could be set to leave.
The Liverpool icon had largely stoked those flames himself, strongly suggesting that the game against Brighton on December 13th could be his final appearance for the Reds.
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Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?
421 appearances
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Thankfully, rumours of a potential exit for Salah have ground to a virtual halt during his time away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, with the 33-year-old set to return to Anfield next week, David Ornstein has offered an explanation over whether a January move could still be on the cards for Salah.
Mohamed Salah expected to stay at Liverpool
Although there did not look to be an explicit goodbye from Salah at the end of December’s clash with Brighton, the way he left the pitch at Anfield did raise real question marks over whether he would feature under Arne Slot again.
According to Ornstein, however, no news appears to be good news in that regard, with Salah expected to stay beyond the end of the January window.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool pats the Liverpool badge on his shirt after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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“We need to pay attention to Liverpool with the attacking position that Mo Salah occupies,” the journalist said on The Athletic FC podcast.
“We believe that he will be staying despite the recent uncertainty. As far as we know he wants to stay at Liverpool, he loves the club.
“However, if it doesn’t go so well, maybe there is a conversation to be had about a mutual parting of the ways next summer and then, my goodness there’s a big hole to fill, so that’s one to watch as we go towards the summer market.”
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Sadio Mane pats the Champions League trophy after Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid (Credit: Getty Images/Jose Breton/NurPhoto).
Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Southampton in the Premier League at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Julian Finney
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David Ornstein updates on Liverpool’s centre-back situation
As well as providing the latest on Salah’s expected movements – or lack thereof – Ornstein also shared Liverpool’s current plan in terms of their centre-back options.
“Liverpool, the feeling I get is that they are keeping their powder dry in the market for the summer and at that point the focus will be on a central defender,” he says.
“You’ve got Ibrahima Konate, his contract is expiring on June the 30th, there’s no breakthrough in talks over a new contract. You’ve got Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez who will then be entering the final 12 months of their existing deals. I would expect recruitment in that department, it’s why they looked at Marc Guehi last summer, it’s why they would be in the mix for him if he doesn’t leave Crystal Palace in January.”
The lack of January signing is a real gamble from Liverpool who are one injury away from a genuine catastrophe in the middle of the defence.
But as it was in 2021 when Konate arrived, hopefully the wait will pay off and the Reds bring in their ideal targets at the end of the season.
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