Troy Deeney made a huge claim that one Liverpool star must leave before the January transfer window shuts following their 3-0 win in Marseille on Wednesday night. The Reds put in a professional performance as the iconic Stade Velodrome's toxic atmosphere rained down on them.
Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, and an own goal forced by Jeremie Frimpong meant they climbed into fourth in the Champions League table heading into the final gameweek of the league phase. While many of Arne Slot's side's recent performances have left a lot to be desired, a win in midweek brings their unbeaten run up to 13 matches across all competitions.
But if Liverpool want to get to the next level, they must sell one of their star players sooner rather than later, according to Deeney. It's clear that the way the reigning Premier League champions are evolving the way they play, and the retired striker feels they have now outgrown Mohamed Salah.
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Deeney Claims Liverpool Must Sell Mohamed Salah This Month
Mohamed Salah
It was a quiet night for Salah, who was thrown straight into the starting lineup following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored four goals and produced an assist across six matches to guide Egypt to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners and former teammate Senegal and Sadio Mane.
As the Reds found more joy from playing through the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, Deeney believes the Salah train is coming to its final halt, and spoke on CBS Sports Golazo about how parting ways with Liverpool sooner rather than later would suit both parties. He explained (watch the full segment below):
"I think, with the noise surrounding him, the ego surrounding him, I think with how Liverpool are trying to move on, I just think it's not going to work long-term for the pair of them. Listen, let's call it as it is, he's been fantastic, arguably the best Liverpool player of this generation alongside Steven Gerrard.
"They just need to part ways now, I'd like to see it dealt with quicker rather than later, before it gets ugly. [Asked whether he meant in the summer] No, I mean in January. Everyone's forgetting, it was only just before Christmas when it was all bad, all terrible, the club had betrayed - all these different things. This 13-game unbeaten run, he hasn't been a part of it, that's all I'm saying."
Salah played the full ninety minutes in southern France, but his statistics don't make for a good read for those hoping he'd return from AFCON firing on all cylinders. He took two shots that both landed off target, missed a big chance, only completed 13 passes, and lost possession nine times from 28 total touches.
The New Liverpool is Going in a Different Direction to Salah
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike
In previous seasons under Jurgen Klopp - and again under his successor last term, as Salah smashed the Premier League record for most goal contributions in a single campaign and swept the Player of the Season, Golden Boot, Playmaker Award and the league title by a landslide - Liverpool’s entire tactical approach was fine-tuned to suit their Egyptian King.
Slot, however, is moving beyond that this term. While it has taken time for the new identity to fully take shape, recent weeks have shown that this new direction may be the best thing for the Reds: a side in which no single player shoulders more responsibility for success than another, and where the team functions as a machine.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot clapping
Premier League - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 13, 2025 Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble
Attacks now rotate between Wirtz, Ekitike and Szoboszlai, and at times even originate from the full-backs or deeper midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch. There is also a stronger emphasis on those players tracking back and contributing defensively, with Liverpool’s collection of hardworking profiles producing significant improvements to what had been a leaky defence at the start of the campaign.
This term was always something of a transition period, but Slot's new and improved tactics have come into play just at the perfect time. With the Reds being so tough to beat recently, they can fancy their chances in cup competitions, while strengthening their place inside the top four in the Premier League to ensure they remain at Europe's top table next season.