More and more signs suggest that Mohamed Salah's era at Liverpool is drawing to a painful close. The Egyptian star's dispute with the club and head coach Arne Slot has spilled out of the dressing room into the public arena, and bookmakers have quickly adjusted their odds to match a new storyline: this winter, the 33-year-old forward is widely expected to swap Anfield for the Middle East.
The Odds Speak Louder Than Words
On December 8 it emerged that Salah would not travel with Liverpool for the Champions League clash against Inter. According to reports from inside the club, the decision was made jointly by the board and Arne Slot. In light of the player's recent remarks, this looks far more serious than a routine rotation call.
British bookmakers have already drawn their own conclusions. In their view, the most realistic next step in the winger's career is a move to Saudi Arabia. A wager on Salah's next team being any club from the Saudi Pro League is offered at odds of 1.16, which translates into an implied probability of about 86%.
Other destinations are treated as secondary scenarios:
- a transfer to PSG is priced at 5.50;
- the option of any MLS club comes at 9.00;
- a move to Real Madrid is listed at 11.00;
- a reunion with Inter is available at 13.00.
These figures make the trend obvious: the market is almost convinced that a separation from Liverpool is a matter of weeks rather than a distant prospect.
"They are Just Throwing Me Under the Bus": Salah's Emotional Outburst
Removing a Liverpool icon from the starting XI turned out to be easier than dealing with the consequences. In the 3–3 draw against Leeds, Salah spent all 90 minutes on the bench, having also started the previous two matches as a substitute. For a player of his stature, that felt less like a tactical tweak and more like a personal slight.
In his interview, Salah did not mince his words. He admitted that, for the first time in many years, he feels completely sidelined, even though he has, in his own words, "done so much for this club, especially last season." The Egyptian claims that he is being "thrown under the bus" and made the main culprit for the team's problems.
The sharpest accusations concerned trust. Salah says that in the summer the club promised him a defined role and full backing, but now he sees only broken promises and a lack of protection from the hierarchy. He also stressed that not long ago he had a good relationship with Slot, whereas now "it is as if it does not exist at all."
A Farewell at Anfield and Nerves Before the Africa Cup of Nations
With the controversy swirling around him, Salah increasingly perceives himself not as the face of the project, but as a temporary guest. He revealed that he phoned his parents and asked them to come to the match against Brighton so they could share what might be a farewell evening at Anfield and say goodbye to the supporters before the Africa Cup of Nations.
The key line here is: "I do not know what will happen when I leave." This is more than an emotional aside; it is a clear hint that the relationship could end or a transfer could materialise as early as this winter. In effect, Salah acknowledges that the game against Brighton may be his last major appearance in a red shirt on home turf.
Yesterday an Icon, Today "Ballast"? The Voice of the Stands and Fan Comments
Online, the fanbase is split, but the general direction of opinion is easy to read: the number of supporters ready to accept his departure is steadily growing. Some thank the Egyptian for the goals and trophies and calmly conclude, "Thank you for everything and goodbye. No one is bigger than the club."
Others are far less forgiving. They accuse Salah of disappearing in big moments, staying away from the media when his form dips, yet being the first to speak out whenever contract talks or dissatisfaction with his role are on the agenda.
Many also bring up last year's contract saga, arguing that after the tough negotiations the run-in to the season was underwhelming, and that this campaign has started with him a long way off his best.
In the comments, the word "ballast" appears with increasing frequency: critics insist that Salah does not work hard enough defensively, contributes too little to the press, and effectively leaves the team playing with ten men. For this section of the crowd, the verdict is straightforward: "Move him on to Saudi Arabia as soon as possible, while his market value is still high."
Arne Slot's Dilemma: Results Versus Authority
Arne Slot has been pushed into an uncomfortable corner. If he leaves Salah out of the starting XI, he risks another wave of public complaints from his star player. If he starts him and then substitutes him, the reaction could easily fuel a fresh media storm.
Yet from a footballing perspective, the coach has solid reasons for his stance. The team's results are below expectations, and Salah's performances no longer resemble those of an undisputed attacking leader. Many supporters, in fact, accuse Slot of sticking with Salah in the starting line-up for too long when the drop-off in form was obvious to everyone.
When Legends Leave: What Awaits Salah and Liverpool Next
The situation appears to have reached a point where there is only one realistic outcome: a parting of ways. The club has plenty of arguments in favour of renewing its attacking line, while Salah has accumulated too many grievances to simply press the reset button. The Saudi league offers an elegant exit route: a lucrative contract, superstar status and the chance to play out the final years of his career at a high level in a calmer environment.
For Liverpool, this would mark the end of a whole era. The player who dragged the team towards titles for years would be leaving under a cloud of tension and mutual frustration. But in modern football, sentiment rarely outweighs the pursuit of results. Bookmakers have already drawn their picture of what comes next, and the key question now is less "if" and more "when" Salah will officially say goodbye to Anfield.
