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Following a grim stretch that has seen Liverpool lose nine of their last 15 matches across all competitions, star forward Mohamed Salah has voiced his frustrations, accusing the club of “throwing him under the bus.”

After starting the first 12 matches of the Premier League season but only managing four goals and two assists, Salah found himself benched for the third consecutive match against Leeds United on Saturday night. After the team’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Elland Road, he confronted reporters in the mixed zone.

“Someone wants me to take the blame,” he declared. “[The] club made promises to me over the summer. Now I’m on the bench, so they clearly haven’t fulfilled those.” He added, “I used to have a good relationship [with Arne Slot]. Now, we have none, and I don’t know why. It feels like someone doesn’t want me here.”

Such a candid outburst is remarkable from a player who has rarely spoken to the media throughout his 8½ years at Liverpool. Salah’s decision to express himself suggests he believes his future at the club may be in jeopardy. So, what’s next for him? With his omission from the squad for the foreseeable future, could his illustrious career at Anfield be nearing its end?

– Ogden: Salah’s comments resemble Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United
– Lindop: Salah’s remarks overshadow Liverpool’s ongoing issues
– As it happened: Leeds scores a last-minute equalizer against Liverpool

What prompted Salah’s outburst against Liverpool?

Just a few months ago, Salah was full of joy as he claimed the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award after a stellar 29-goal season that helped Liverpool win the Premier League. His record as the first player to win this honor three times underscores his ongoing excellence since arriving from AS Roma in 2017. With 250 goals in 420 matches for the club, he clearly feels he isn’t receiving the respect he deserves from manager Arne Slot and the club’s leadership.

Despite starting all of Liverpool’s first 12 league matches this season, Slot opted to bench the club’s star player during the victory against West Ham United. This seemingly vindicated decision led to Salah being benched against both Sunderland and Leeds, although he did see action during the former.

“This situation is unacceptable to me,” he stated. “If I were elsewhere, every club would stand by its players. Instead, it’s ‘Let’s put all the blame on Mo because he’s a problem.’ I don’t think I am a problem. I’m not vying for my spot every day; I’ve earned my position. I’m not greater than the club, but I’ve earned my place.”

Even though Salah’s performance has noticeably dipped—four goals in the first 15 league matches this season, compared with 13 at the same juncture last year—it’s evident that he feels he is being unfairly made the scapegoat for Liverpool’s struggles.

Some staff reportedly regard Salah as “aloof” and consider him as someone who has always carried an air of “specialness.” Interestingly, not everyone was surprised by his decision to speak out; one source mentioned he was supposed to stay silent to the media after the Leeds match, yet it was clear he intended to voice his thoughts.

Why did Liverpool extend his contract in the summer?

Last season, Salah was one of three key Liverpool players facing contract expiration, alongside captain Virgil van Dijk and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, all set to become free agents in the summer of 2025.

The ongoing contract negotiations surrounding these three vital players were intensely scrutinized, particularly after Salah expressed in November 2024 that he felt “more out than in” at the club following a £150 million bid from Al Ittihad that Liverpool had rejected during the summer of 2023 amidst escalating speculation about a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.

Despite the surrounding media frenzy, ESPN sources indicate that productive dialogue regarding a contract extension persisted for months, with Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes leading discussions with Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa. Both Salah and the club were confident in a shared interest in extending their partnership, especially as Salah and his family are settled and enjoying life in northwest England.

Maintaining Salah’s status as the club’s top earner—approximately £400,000 weekly, plus bonuses—while acknowledging his age (32 at the time) demonstrates the continued high regard in which he is held by the club’s hierarchy.

However, with local talent Alexander-Arnold having left for Real Madrid this summer, there is speculation that Liverpool feels they cannot afford to let a player of Salah’s caliber depart on a free transfer.

Investing heavily in a player nearing the later stages of his career seems inconsistent with the club’s typical data-driven approach, and Salah’s recent remarks imply he suspects the club is eager to facilitate his exit soon.

Could Liverpool let him leave in January?

Allowing Salah to leave in the middle of the season seemed unimaginable just weeks ago. However, if resolution fails between him and Slot, Liverpool may be compelled to entertain offers for him. During a recent interview, Salah hinted that his upcoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion could potentially be his final appearance in a Liverpool jersey.

Salah has played a total of 1,119 league minutes out of a possible 1,350 this season, but he is clearly dissatisfied with his diminished role, and even if the pressure on Slot mounts, the club is unlikely to prioritize a player who could hold future management hostage due to insufficient playing time.

While the club acknowledges that fans might take issue with Salah’s comments “not aligning with Liverpool’s ethos,” they also recognize that publicly criticizing him isn’t the answer, leading to a desire for a calm and balanced resolution.

Ultimately, the prevailing sentiment at the club is that Salah’s recent actions have complicated Slot’s selection decisions.

Where might he go, and how would Liverpool replace him?

The most probable destination for Salah appears to be the Saudi Pro League, with clubs like Al Ittihad and Al Hilal frequently mentioned as potential suitors.

These clubs would likely offer Salah a wage comparable to what he currently earns, but whether he is willing to step away from European football—where he still believes he has much to give—remains uncertain. A move to Saudi Arabia would likely contradict his desire to prove he is not finished at Liverpool.

Sources indicate that Salah’s agent has reached out to various Serie A clubs, as this is currently the only major European league that might consider him given his age and salary expectations. Meanwhile, a source added that Paris Saint-Germain, once linked with Salah, would only show interest if he became available on a free transfer.

Regardless, it’s clear Liverpool must start preparing for a future without their 33-year-old superstar.

While finding a precise like-for-like replacement will be challenging, Liverpool may need to pursue a winger who can bring speed and scoring ability to supplement newer signings like Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

ESPN sources report that Liverpool has taken a keen interest in AFC Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has found the net six times this season and is expected to have a release clause of around £60 million that kicks in January. With the Ghana international not required for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, this makes him an enticing prospect.

Liverpool was also connected to Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola during the summer, although interest in both players has been downplayed.

What does this mean for Arne Slot?

Slot’s position at Liverpool remains precarious, with the team having won only four of their last 15 games across competitions.

However, ESPN sources assert that he still retains the confidence of the club hierarchy, and he’s esteemed among staff for his respectful treatment of everyone. There is a level of sympathy for how he has been publicly criticized by Salah, who, according to insiders, is honest and straightforward with the players.

Nevertheless, some believe that Liverpool’s recent Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven marked a “tipping point” for some within the club, highlighting growing dissent that arose during the preceding poor stretch leading up to that match.

Salah expressed that he feels he has “no relationship” with Slot at this time. Nonetheless, he reported to Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre on Sunday and participated in light training before discussing matters with senior figures including Slot and Hughes.

On Monday, Salah joined the team for open training but was excluded from traveling to Italy ahead of the Tuesday night Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.

While Liverpool typically prioritizes backing their manager over a player, how Slot navigates this challenging scenario could heavily influence his support among fans—many of whom are already calling for his dismissal.

Contributions to this report were made by ESPN’s Mark Ogden and Julien Laurens.