On January 21 local time, The Athletic reported that Mohamed Salah delivered an outstanding performance during the Africa Cup of Nations and, upon returning to the club, clearly stated he did not need rest and was ready to continue contributing to the team. Liverpool's performances in his absence were unsatisfactory, making his return crucial for the squad—Salah's form will directly impact Liverpool's future results.
Below is TA’s analysis.
Salah kept photographers waiting for a long time on Liverpool’s training pitch before completing the shots they needed.
The Egyptian forward was the last player to walk onto the field during Tuesday afternoon’s training session, closely followed by manager Slot.
Salah hung a training top on the corner flag post, exchanged a few words with midfielder Curtis Jones, then warmly draped his arm over Dutch defender Gravenberch’s shoulders and playfully nudged him.
After Slot addressed the players, vice-captain Robertson gave Salah a warm hug before the group began their warm-up drills. Three hours later, Salah—the club’s third-highest all-time scorer—departed with a 20-man squad for southern France ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match against Marseille.
Having just concluded his Africa Cup campaign, Salah immediately rejoined Liverpool without hesitation.
Although Egypt lost to Nigeria in a penalty shootout in the third-place playoff held in Morocco, Salah unequivocally stated he required no rest and was eager to return to Liverpool’s lineup as soon as possible—a stance that undoubtedly encouraged Slot.
Relations between Salah and the club had become tense after he criticized being left out of the starting XI in an interview on December 6. However, that tension now appears to have eased.
Following the 3-3 draw with Leeds United, Salah expressed frustration in a post-match interview, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” and unfairly blamed for Liverpool’s poor performance. He also declared his relationship with Slot had completely broken down and hinted at a potential transfer during the winter window.
Shortly afterward, Salah was excluded from the squad traveling to Milan for the Champions League clash against Inter Milan, further clouding his future. At the time, Slot said he wasn’t sure whether Salah had played his final game for Liverpool, noting that sporting director Richard Hughes made the decision to omit him—an approach Slot supported.
However, after Liverpool returned from Italy, constructive talks between club management and Salah led Slot to recall him for the Premier League match against Brighton.
Jones revealed that Salah had apologized to his teammates for causing disruption. Although Slot didn’t confirm receiving a formal apology, he insisted “there’s nothing to resolve,” and Salah delivered an impressive performance off the bench, helping Liverpool secure a 2-0 victory over Brighton.
While assisting Ekitike for the second goal, Salah set a new record: he became the player with the most goal involvements (277—188 goals and 89 assists) for a single club in Premier League history, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s tally for Manchester United.
After the final whistle, Salah saluted all four stands and kissed the club crest—an act that resembled a farewell before the Africa Cup rather than a subdued “goodbye” hinting at a transfer. Fans wasted no time voicing their desire for him to stay.
Yet, when passing through the mixed zone, Salah offered no clear response. He smiled and declined journalists’ requests for comment, saying, “Two weeks in a row? No, no, no,” clearly avoiding any discussion about a potential move.
Nevertheless, as time passes, Salah seems in no rush to leave Liverpool.
Salah’s future at Liverpool remains uncertain. While a move to the Saudi Pro League remains a possibility, there is currently no indication he intends to leave Europe’s top flight. Settled in northwest England with his wife Maggi and two daughters, his life is stable, and he shows no signs of seeking a new destination.
Liverpool maintains ongoing communication with Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas. The club has made it clear they do not wish to sell Salah during the January transfer window and viewed his temporary removal from the starting lineup as a short-term adjustment—not a rejection. Salah remains a vital member of the squad, and his future will remain closely tied to Liverpool.
Moreover, given Liverpool’s attacking options, the club certainly cannot afford to reduce its offensive personnel this window. With Isak sidelined by a broken bone and right-back Conor Bradley ruled out for the season due to a knee injury—placing greater responsibility on Gravenberch—retaining core players like Salah, who is indispensable in attack, has become even more critical.
At the Africa Cup, Salah continued to shine as a world-class player, scoring four goals and providing one assist across six matches, reaffirming his importance on the international stage. At Tuesday’s press conference, Slot emphasized how crucial Salah’s return is for Liverpool: “I’m very happy he’s back. Our defense was solid in his absence, and our attack has been improving. Now, with Salah’s help, we’ll create even more chances.”
As Salah gradually regains peak form, Liverpool’s attack will become more threatening, and his return will undoubtedly be pivotal in the club’s pursuit of honors.
Slot also noted that although Salah didn’t start against Burnley, his impact on the team was undeniable: “If Salah is on the pitch, we might create more opportunities in attack. Even though we’re already creating chances, we’ll only judge based on results.”
In the upcoming Champions League league phase match, Liverpool will face Marseille, and Salah’s return is vital. While Liverpool remained unbeaten during his absence, their performances still fell short of their best. Slot must now implement smart tactical planning to restore Salah’s rhythm and ensure he plays a key role in the coming fixtures.
If the match against Brighton had been Salah’s farewell, it would have been a regrettable ending for one of the club’s greatest-ever players. But reason ultimately prevailed over emotion, and Salah continues to play a crucial role in Liverpool’s future.
Salah’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Liverpool still needs him. For Slot, Salah’s return is undoubtedly key to restoring the team’s form.
Hohabelty
1
Good
Jwirtz
0
He’s crucial on the bench