​TA: Salah Departs for AFCON, Set to Miss Liverpool for a Month

 
December 14 – In the Premier League’s 16th round, Liverpool defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at Anfield. Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who recently made explosive comments criticizing Liverpool manager Arne Slot, returned to the squad and came off the bench to provide an assist after Joe Gomez’s injury. Regarding the forward’s situation, The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent James Pearce penned a column analyzing the circumstances.

**The Athletic Article Summary**

When the final whistle sharply echoed around Anfield, signaling the end of the match, Liverpool players began to leave the pitch one by one. Salah was the last Liverpool player to exit. The Egyptian winger first acknowledged the supporters in all four stands of Anfield, respectfully expressing gratitude for their backing. Then, he paused briefly, gently patting the prominent club crest on his shirt, as if bidding a silent farewell to the club. He later captured this memorable moment and posted it on his Instagram account. After doing so, he turned and slowly disappeared into the darkness of the tunnel.

Was this truly Salah’s goodbye to Liverpool? Only time will tell. For now, however, it appears more like a temporary separation. Salah is set to travel to Morocco to join the Egyptian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next week.

Since his explosive outburst at Elland Road against Leeds United last week, Salah’s future has been shrouded in uncertainty. In Saturday’s home match against Brighton, Salah returned to the squad. Prior to this, he had missed the midweek Champions League match against Inter Milan due to suspension. At the training ground on Friday, Salah held a positive conversation with manager Arne Slot, which led to his reinclusion in the matchday squad.

Although a temporary truce was reached following their discussion, what happens next remains unknown. Last week, Salah publicly stated that his relationship with Slot had fractured and even hinted at a potential January departure, citing that “someone doesn’t want me at the club.” While the atmosphere on the pitch this afternoon seemed harmonious, the core issue remains: Salah is unwilling to accept a place on the bench, and Slot currently does not view the 33-year-old as an indispensable part of his best starting lineup.

Over the coming weeks, negotiations between Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes will continue. Salah’s participation in AFCON provides a much-needed breathing space for all parties. Based on the tournament schedule, Salah is not expected to return until mid-January.

Reviewing Salah’s recent involvement, he had not started any of the past five matches. However, against Brighton, he came off the bench and delivered a fine assist for Liverpool’s second goal in their 2-0 victory. After the match, as he passed through the mixed zone, Salah politely declined interview requests from reporters with a smile, saying, “Two weeks in a row? No, no, no.” Notably, he had just shared a moment outside with former teammate James Milner, who now plays for Brighton.

The fans’ sentiments are clear—they hope Salah stays. Over the past eight years, Salah has fulfilled many dreams for the supporters, shattered records at Anfield, and lifted numerous trophies and individual honors. His performance against Brighton further demonstrated that he remains capable of making significant contributions to Liverpool, especially during a challenging season. After Joe Gomez’s injury forced an early substitution in the first half, Salah entered the fray with intensity, using his pace and dribbling to stretch Brighton’s defense.

Source: The Athletic