December 7, 2025

In the aftermath of Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Leeds United on Friday night, Mohamed Salah delivered what may go down as the most significant interview of his Liverpool career. Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2 immediately after the game, the 33-year-old Egyptian forward voiced frustration, disappointment, and a sense of betrayal that has plunged his future at Anfield into fresh doubt just eight days before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.

For the first time in his 420-game Liverpool career, Salah has now been an unused substitute in three consecutive Premier League matches. Against Leeds, he watched from the bench for the full 90 minutes as Arne Slot’s side surrendered a two-goal lead and conceded a 95th-minute equaliser to Crysencio Summerville. The decision to leave out the club’s third-highest goalscorer of all time (250 goals) has stunned supporters and ignited a firestorm.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Salah told TV2. “I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. It’s the first time in my career this has happened three games in a row.”

The numbers tell only part of the story. Salah has four goals and four assists in 13 appearances this season — a dip from last year’s 29 goals and 18 assists, but hardly the collapse that some sections of the media have portrayed. Yet the narrative has shifted sharply: from untouchable talisman to supposed problem.

Broken Promises and a Fractured Relationship

Salah did not mince words when asked about his current standing at the club.

“The club promised me a lot of promises in the summer and nothing so far,” he said. “I feel like they’re throwing me under the bus. Someone wants to put everything on me, like the team is not winning because of me.”

Most damaging of all were his comments about his relationship with Arne Slot. The Dutch manager replaced Jürgen Klopp in the summer to widespread optimism, but Salah revealed a complete breakdown in communication.

“I said many times before I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why. It seems to me someone doesn’t want me in the club.”

Slot, speaking after the Leeds game, insisted selection decisions were purely tactical and praised Salah as a “top professional,” but offered no public reassurance about the forward’s long-term role.

The Media, the Pundits, and the Double Standard

Salah also took aim at the English media’s treatment of him compared to other high-profile strikers. He referenced Harry Kane’s 10-game goal drought during his final season at Tottenham, when pundits and fans rallied behind the England captain.

“When it was Harry Kane, everyone was singing ‘Harry will score for sure.’ When it comes to Mo, everyone is like, ‘He needs to be on the bench.’ I’m sorry, Harry!” he said with a wry smile that quickly faded.

He singled out former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, now a prominent Sky Sports pundit, predicting — accurately, as it turned out — that criticism would intensify.

“Tomorrow Jamie Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine. But I feel like the club should protect me more.”

A Potential Farewell to Anfield

With his contract expiring in June 2026 and no signs of an extension, Salah was asked directly whether next Saturday’s home game against Brighton could be his last at Anfield for some time.

“In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen after,” he replied. “I’m going to AFCON, then I come back, then who knows?”

He refused to discuss interest from the Saudi Pro League or elsewhere, saying only: “I don’t want to answer this question because the club is going to take me in a different direction.”

Despite the anger and hurt, Salah reiterated his love for Liverpool and its supporters.

“I love the club so much. I’ve done everything for this club. I just want the respect that I deserve.”

The Bigger Picture

Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League, albeit having played a game more than several rivals, and remain unbeaten in the league. Yet cracks are appearing: two points dropped from winning positions in consecutive away games, defensive fragility, and now open discontent from the dressing room’s biggest star.

For Arne Slot, still only six months into the job, the coming days represent an enormous test of man-management. Keep Salah sidelined and risk alienating the squad and fanbase; restore him immediately and invite accusations of caving to player power.

For Salah, the path ahead is equally stark. At 33, he remains one of the most lethal forwards in world football, and lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and beyond are guaranteed. Whether he spends the second half of this season — and possibly the remainder of his peak years — in a red shirt now feels less certain than ever.

One thing, however, is beyond debate: when Mohamed Salah finally does leave Anfield, whenever that may be, he will do so as one of the greatest players ever to wear the famous number 11. The only question left is whether Liverpool are prepared to let that departure be on bitter terms, or whether club and player can still find a way to give the Egyptian King the send-off his extraordinary legacy demands.