Former scout Mick Brown believes Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah is increasingly likely to leave the club at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old was again well short of his best in the Reds’ vital 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Wednesday, despite assisting Virgil van Dijk for the only goal of the game.
Salah continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer, following a tumultuous campaign, with a switch to the Saudi Pro League arguably feeling most likely.
That’s certainly the opinion of Brown, who told Football Insider that the Egyptian icon has every chance of playing his final Reds match later this year:
“Salah could definitely end up in Saudi Arabia. It’s something I think could end up happening at the end of the season anyway, there’s just a feeling that he might be on his way out of Liverpool. He hasn’t looked like his usual self in that side, he’s not scoring goals the way he used to and he doesn’t look as effective in the way Slot has him playing.
“It’s hard to say for certain what’s changed since last season when he was so brilliant, but it’s clear things aren’t quite right with him at the moment. I think there might be an agreement with Liverpool for him to move on at the end of the season, it feels like the right time for it to be honest.
“All the stuff that happened before he want to the Africa Cup of Nations and just the whole thing surrounding him, I think he’ll want to move on. The interest from Saudi Arabia is always going to be there, so if they decide it is time for him to move on, then there’s no doubt that will be his destination.”
Salah a shadow of the player he used to be
Watching Salah is bordering on painful this season, with the Liverpool legend such a far cry from the world-class player he has been since joining in the summer of 2017.
That’s despite Arne Slot hailing him after the win over Sunderland, as he drew level with Steven Gerrard on Premier League assists for the Reds:
“He has so many records for this club, but to have this one combined with such a great player. Both were unbelievable players for this club. Unfortunately for Steven, I expect Mo to go above him. I don’t expect, but I hope he goes above him.”
Salah has lost a yard of pace and now struggles to beat full-backs in one-on-one situations, and his end product has dried up significantly this season, with only four Premier League goals to his name.
He is such a special footballer that there is always a chance that he returns to his best next term, but if a big Saudi bid comes in for him, Liverpool should be tempted to accept it.