In a parallel universe, a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Inter Milan, last season’s Champions League finalists, would have been something to celebrate for Liverpool’s fan base. With one of their remaining two fixtures against rank outsiders Qarabag, the three points taken in Milan more or less ensured that Liverpool will at least make the play-off round of Europe’s premier competition.
Instead, the overriding emotion after a game decided by Dominic Szoboszlai’s late penalty was one of relief, with fans sitting high in the clouds at the soon-to-be-demolished San Siro applauding the players and serenading Arne Slot, the under-pressure coach, after the final whistle. More than the result, the main topic of discussion was the future of Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s most prolific 21st-century goal-scorer.
So, how did it come to this for a team that started the season with seven straight wins in all competitions before embarking on a disastrous run that saw them lose 9 out of 12 for the first time in more than 70 years? When Salah inked his new contract last April, he was coming towards the end of a title-chasing season that saw him score 29 goals and provide 18 assists. It seemed like the contract was a safe bet for both parties.
Instead, Liverpool had a tumultuous summer, with the club suffering the trauma of losing a much-loved teammate, Diogo Jota, in a tragic road accident just before the players returned for pre-season training. But as much as the loss of Jota and the emotional toll it had on his teammates, what has also not helped in a difficult season is the lack of clarity about the direction in which Liverpool want to go.
From Salah’s perspective, when he signed his contract, the expectation was that Liverpool would continue to build around his strengths, as they had done for years. But with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid, and the sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, tireless workers who would happily graft to create chances for Salah, the equation changed.
With an eye clearly on a post-Salah future, Liverpool spent huge money on bringing in Alexander Isak after one of the most protracted transfer sagas of recent times. They also signed Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, and integrating these new players into the system has clearly affected the balance of the side.
For years, Liverpool destroyed teams down the right-hand side. Initially, there was an almost telepathic understanding between the trio of Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Salah. Once Henderson left in 2023, Szoboszlai stepped in as the all-action midfielder who would cover for Alexander-Arnold on his forays forward.
Without that axis to set him free, especially the sweeping long passes from Alexander-Arnold, Salah has struggled for both goals and form this season. With the downturn in results and his own output, the frustration was evident. Something had to give, and after three disastrous results on the bounce, including home thrashings by both Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, Slot put Salah on the bench against West Ham United.
He stayed there for the home fixture against Sunderland, though he did come on as a substitute in both matches. But away to Leeds United, where Liverpool were pegged back by an injury-time equaliser after leading 2-0 and 3-2, Salah didn’t even make it off the bench. After the game, in the mixed zone, an irate Salah accused Liverpool of ‘throwing me under the bus’, appearing to point the finger squarely at Slot.
In most such situations, the player never wins. Cristiano Ronaldo tried to take on Erik ten Hag at Manchester United three seasons ago and lost. That has been the fate of most players who challenge authority. But in this case, given Salah’s status as a Liverpool goal-scoring legend and Slot being under increased scrutiny, a compromise looks more likely, especially with the player set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations on 15 December.
Time away should allow the issue to cool down and for calm conversations to take place between player and management. A full rehabilitation when he returns in January cannot be ruled out.
Had money been Salah’s motivation, he would have left for Saudi Arabia long ago. But having already scored 48 Champions League goals, 45 of them in Liverpool red, there is no doubt that he wants to join the elite list of players who have scored 50 and cement his status as one of the greats of European club football. That cannot be achieved by moving to a backwater league.
Brighton are up next at Anfield on Saturday. Will Salah be on the team sheet or in the stands? We haven’t heard the last of this story yet.
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