The Egyptian has dominated headlines since his explosive public outburst on Saturday evening, in which he claimed he has ‘no relationship’ with Arne Slot and accused someone at Anfield of ‘throwing me under the bus’ (Air sports).
The 33-year-old did not confirm or deny whether he has yet played his last game for the Reds, although he did reveal that he had told his family to attend the home game against Brighton next weekend where he would ‘say goodbye to the fans’ before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Winter: ‘Hard to see’ how Salah can stay at Liverpool
Journalist Henry Winter went to X on Tuesday morning to share his thoughts on Salah’s future, and he eloquently explained why he believes a parting of the ways next month would be in everyone’s best interests.
He posted: ‘It is difficult to understand how Mo Salah can stay at Liverpool. The January holidays are the best for everyone involved. One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players is frustrated at the realization he is not a starter under Arne Slot. Its shape does not warrant a place. His work not owned warrants no place. And he’s 33. Liverpool are right to support their head coach. The alternative is anarchy.
‘It makes sense if Salah gets a farewell against Brighton, a tribute to a club legend etc., and he gives a moving farewell message via club media, reflecting on what the club has done for him as well as he for them, Liverpool always in his heart etc. Plays AFCON, goes to Saudi in January, good salary, good preparation for the World Cup. Not burdensome.
‘Liverpool are not in a strong position because of compensation. How much competition will there be among potential suitors given his wages and the apparent rift in his relationship with the club? But even £10m will get his reported salary back since August. And Liverpool will save £30m on the remaining 18 months of his contract. Plus the potential dividend of the new boys establishing themselves more quickly without Salah’s big shadow.
‘He has to go. But it must be done respectfully. Salah’s phenomenal deeds are in the history books of Liverpool. But every chapter comes to an end.’
It would feel so wrong if Salah left Liverpool on a low note
As always, Winter made his point convincingly and logically; Unlike some other pundits, he has not attacked Salah personally, but rather outlined why he thinks Liverpool would be wise to move on from the Egyptian legend once he returns from AFCON next month.
We recognize that the winger was wrong to speak so explosively about Slot and the club in the wake of a poor result during a terrible season, and it would be fair to say that his performances and overall performances have declined drastically from his usual world-class standards.
However, it would feel so wrong for a player of his greatness (and LFC’s all-time best) to go out on such a low note, if Saturday’s match against Brighton is indeed his last and if the Reds fail to take all three points.
We’re not ready to say goodbye to him so soon. Even if he were to come out in the coming weeks and announce that he would be leaving in the summer, it would give everyone the chance to give him the proper farewell that he richly deserves, just like Jurgen Klopp received in May 2024.
If there is any chance for Salah and Slot to resolve their apparent differences (even partially), they must be given the space to do so. In football, as in life, you are never guaranteed a fairytale ending, but how we wish the Egyptian king gets his at Anfield when he leaves.
You can watch Slot’s full pre-Inter Milan press conference below, via Kingdom of the Kop on YouTube:
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