Mohamed Salah has thrown a firecracker into Liverpool’s season. In a rare and blunt interview, the club’s record Premier League goalscorer accused unnamed figures at Anfield of pushing him out and said he has been made the scapegoat for a poor start under manager Arne Slot. Salah has been benched for three straight matches. Now, with Brighton up next this weekend and the Africa Cup of Nations around the corner, he suggested this could be his last Liverpool match before January decisions are made.

It is the clearest sign yet that the Salah–Liverpool bond, one of the defining relationships of the Premier League era, has hit a painful low. For a player who signed a fresh two-year deal in April 2025 and for a new manager trying to steady the project, the timing and tone of this clash could shape the entire season.

Inside the rift: Salah vs Arne Slot at Liverpool

The headlines are stark because Salah’s words were stark. He said he felt “hung out to dry,” claiming promises made during the summer window were broken. He believes “someone” at the club wants him out. In simple terms: he feels disrespected and pushed aside.

The benching hurts. Salah has not started the last three games as Liverpool search for form. The 3-3 draw with Leeds United summed up the confusion: goals, chaos, and only a brief word from Salah afterward. The forward, 33, is too important to be a bit-part player. That is the essence of his complaint and why his interview hit so hard.

“If Salah sits again, what are we even building toward?”

Why Salah says he feels “hung out to dry”

There are two strands to his frustration:

• He believes the club broke promises made in the summer, likely around role, support, or recruitment.
• He thinks he is the fall guy for a stuttering start, blamed more than others and used as a message.

Players of Salah’s level measure trust in minutes and in messages from the manager. Three straight games on the bench during a slump reads like a public demotion. When you are the club’s top Premier League scorer, that stings, and it spills into the dressing room and the stands.

Slot’s call: form, tactics, or something deeper?

The manager’s side has not been fully explained. Reports point to form and tactical choices. That is common when a new coach tries to tweak the attack. Fresh patterns, pressing triggers, and new balance on the flanks can put even stars on pause.

But context matters. This is not a youngster learning the ropes. This is Mohamed Salah. Sitting him three matches in a row during a sticky run risks more noise than it solves. If Slot’s plan is to re-energize the side, he now must handle the fallout while keeping the dressing room together.

“Benching your best scorer is a bold tactic — or a bad bet.”

Could Brighton be Salah’s last Liverpool game (for now)?

Salah hinted the Brighton match on Saturday could be his last before he links up with Egypt for AFCON, which starts on December 15. That timing matters. Once he leaves for national duty, talks about a January move will swirl without him in the building. Clubs know this. Agents know this. It can speed up decisions.

Liverpool must weigh everything quickly: the results trend, the dressing room mood, the manager’s project, and the winter market. Silence is not neutral here. It can be read as a stance.

January transfer window: what a Salah exit would mean

There are strong rumors about the Saudi Pro League, which has targeted big names in recent windows. No figures have been placed on the table in these reports, and Liverpool’s stance is not detailed. But the idea is simple: a January exit is now possible.

• Squad impact: Losing Salah mid-season would rewrite the front line. Roles, set pieces, and goals would need redistributing overnight.
• Strategy: Liverpool would have to decide whether to buy a replacement now or trust current options until summer.
• Dressing room: A clean resolution lowers noise. A saga can drain focus.

From a planning view, January is hard. Prices rise. Time is short. And AFCON means Salah will be away regardless, which complicates both club selections and market moves.

“Sort it fast. Either trust Mo or cash in — drifting helps no one.”

Contract clock and leverage: two years, big decisions

Salah signed a new two-year deal in April 2025. That made sense then; it gave Liverpool control and gave Salah stability into his mid-30s. But contracts are only calm when both sides feel heard. Once trust is questioned, the paper matters less than the plan.

At 33, Salah’s game has evolved. He still bends defenses with his runs and finishing, but managers may tweak how they use him. The key is clarity. If Slot sees a different path, he must explain it and own the calls. If Salah sees no trust, he will push for a move. Right now, both sides look dug in.

Saudi Pro League interest and AFCON 2025 timing

The Saudi Pro League has pursued star names and has the budget to move fast. If talks advance, the AFCON schedule adds a twist. Egypt’s tournament begins on December 15. That means Salah’s focus will shift to his country. Any January move would likely be handled at arm’s length while he plays for Egypt.

For Liverpool, that means decisions could be made while results keep rolling. The club must keep the group steady, with or without Salah on the pitch, until there is clarity on his future.

What we know — and what we don’t

We know Salah feels wronged and has said so in public. We know Slot has left him out for three straight games during a rough spell. We know the Brighton fixture could be the last time Anfield sees Salah before AFCON. We know a January move is now part of the conversation, with Saudi talk in the mix.

We do not yet know the club’s full response, and we do not know the agent’s detailed position. Those pieces will matter. Until then, the story sits in the open, loud and unresolved.

The bottom line for Liverpool and Salah

This is a test of leadership at all levels. For Slot, it is about managing stars and setting a clear plan. For Liverpool’s hierarchy, it is about honest communication and a coherent transfer strategy. For Salah, it is about legacy, respect, and the right final chapters of a great Anfield career.

One choice calms everything: a clear path back into the XI with trust on both sides. The other choice defines a new era: a January exit that forces Liverpool to rethink the attack on the fly. Either way, the clock is ticking — and Brighton could be the last hint before everything moves fast.