Mohamed Salah ranks among Liverpool's all-time legends and a Premier League icon, but tensions at Anfield hint at a messy split ahead.
His fiery post-match outburst after the Reds' frustrating December 2025 draw against Leeds United, where he blasted the club and manager Arne Slot for pinning the team's slump on him, has fueled talk of an imminent departure. Salah even hinted the upcoming Brighton & Hove Albion clash could double as his farewell to supporters before linking up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations.
That said, he inked a fresh deal just this past April, and Slot's own job security looks shaky, so nothing's set in stone yet. Here's the rundown on the latest developments.
Will Salah Really Depart Liverpool?
Post his bombshell December 6 interview, a January window move feels more plausible than ever. Salah floated the idea that the December 13 Premier League home game versus Brighton might mark his final Anfield bow, urging his family to attend his "goodbye." He started that match on the bench.
No one's locking it in, though. Recall last year when Salah griped about being "more out than in" during drawn-out contract talks, yet he stayed after signing on.
This saga carries a sharper edge. Salah sat out Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League victory over Inter Milan on December 9. Slot confirmed pre-match: "We informed him he wasn't traveling with us; that's the extent of our exchange."
He added they'd chatted extensively before the Leeds stalemate, some talks lengthy, others brief. "I don't sense a rift, though he might. Up until Saturday night, everything felt fine. Players often cool toward managers after being benched, but he stayed professional with staff, teammates, and in training. His comments caught me off guard.
"It's common for sidelined stars to vent like that, not the first or last time. My stance is firm: He's not here tonight."
Pressed on whether that Leeds draw was Salah's Liverpool swan song, Slot dodged: "No idea. Can't say right now."
Reports from The Times and others on December 12 confirmed Salah rejoined the squad for Brighton after direct sit-downs with Slot. True to form, he subbed on early for the injured Joe Gomez and earned a roaring welcome from the Anfield faithful.
Breaking Down Salah's Explosive Leeds Interview
The rumor mill exploded after Liverpool's chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds on December 6, Salah's third straight benching in league play.
The star winger vented to reporters: the club had "thrown him under the bus," using him as a fall guy for the side's struggles. He alleged broken promises from his contract renewal, hinted at internal forces pushing him out, and declared his bond with Slot irreparably damaged.
