Liverpool have no plans to bid Mohamed Salah a grand farewell this weekend as the team prepare to face Brighton in the Premier League. The match would be Salah’s last before he links up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and it could even be his final appearance for Liverpool for some time given the uncertainty surrounding his future after he publicly criticized the club and manager Arne Slot by benched for a third consecutive game.
Salah arrived on the bench for Liverpool’s recent Champions League win over Inter in Milan, and it remains unclear whether he will feature against Brighton at Anfield on Saturday. Slot has admitted he “has no clue” about Salah’s playing status, while reports claim Saudi Pro League clubs are weighing up a January swoop for the forward.
Salah has said he feels he has been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and has questioned why he has been benched as Slot works to lift the team from a poor run of form. The Egyptian star also claimed he has no relationship with Slot and suggested that someone at the club may not want him there.
This situation means Saturday could be Salah’s last match in a Liverpool shirt for quite a while, even if he remains at the club for the rest of the season. Despite that, Liverpool are not planning a formal, high-profile farewell ahead of his AFCON departure, a decision described by The Telegraph as an attempt to avoid signaling the end of Salah’s time at Anfield and to protect potential future transfer negotiations.
Salah has indicated he will attend Anfield for the Brighton game, though he is unsure whether he will play or watch from the stands. He told reporters that he plans to be at the stadium to say goodbye to the fans and to head to Africa, but his exact role on the day remains uncertain. The team have Thursday off and will train on Friday, which may reveal whether Slot intends to bring Salah back into the starting XI.
Meanwhile, speculation about Salah’s winter moves continues to mount, with Saudi clubs reportedly weighing up bids. Sources cited by AFP mentioned competition within the Saudi league to sign Salah, pointing to interest from teams such as Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, and Al Qadsiah.
Salah previously acknowledged in May that a move to Saudi Arabia had been a real possibility, though he ultimately extended his contract with Liverpool. He noted that negotiations were long and that he and the club reached a compromise that satisfied both sides, while also highlighting pressure from fans who wanted him to stay and played a part in the process.
What this all means for Liverpool and Salah going forward is a topic ripe for diverse opinions. Is Salah’s value being protected by avoiding a ceremonial farewell, or is a dignified send-off appropriate given his long service? Should clubs balance the potential loss of a star player with the financial realities of a transfer window? Share your thoughts below: do you side with preserving negotiation leverage or with giving a lasting tribute to a player who has shaped the club’s modern era? Also, how do you view the possible move to Saudi Arabia—as a lucrative chapter on the doorstep of a storied career, or as a controversial shift that could redefine his legacy?
