Liverpool Tension Builds Around Mohamed Salah After Turbulent Week

Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United has intensified scrutiny on the club’s handling of Mohamed Salah, with the forward benched for a third consecutive Premier League match. For a player who has defined Liverpool’s modern era, this sequence feels symbolic, and the uncertainty surrounding his future is growing louder by the day. Amid this storm, Jamie Redknapp has added his own perspective, suggesting that the summer of 2026 could be the moment the Egyptian finally leaves Anfield.

Salah’s Candid Interview Raises Alarm

For the first time in his Liverpool career, Salah has endured a run of games on the bench, and the frustration appears to be bubbling over. His post match interview with Norwegian TV was unusually forthright and hinted at an emotional crossroads.

He said: “I called my mother yesterday, you didn’t know I wasn’t going to start today, I knew that. I said come to the Brighton game, it doesn’t matter if I play or not, I’m going to enjoy it.”

“We’ll see what happens, in my mind I’m going to enjoy it anyway, because I don’t know what’s going to happen anyway. The game will be at Anfield, so that will be my goodbye before I go to AFCON.”

Those comments have sent shockwaves through Liverpool supporters, many of whom fear their greatest modern goalscorer may be preparing his exit. The backdrop is turbulent, with fans and pundits debating the dynamics between Salah and Arne Slot, the manager who delivered the Premier League title in 2024-25 but now faces growing internal strain.

Jamie Redknapp’s Verdict on Liverpool and Salah

While the reaction has been fierce, Jamie Redknapp believes a January departure remains unlikely. Speaking to Sky Sports News, the former Liverpool midfielder gave a measured assessment.

He said: “I don’t necessarily think in January. I just think we’ve got to let this settle.”

“But I don’t foresee that he’ll see out the two years of his contract. I think it might be more in the summer.”

Redknapp’s view aligns with a growing belief that the relationship between Salah and Liverpool is entering its final phase. Supporters continue to celebrate his greatest moments, from his breathtaking solo runs to unforgettable hat-tricks like the one at Old Trafford in 2021, but sentiment may no longer be enough to keep him on Merseyside.

Transfer Landscape and Saudi Interest

Liverpool will not struggle to attract suitors if Salah chooses to depart, and clubs in Saudi Arabia remain prepared to test the Reds resolve. Salah’s contract runs for another 18 months, yet interest from the Middle East has never cooled.

An offer of £100m plus £50m in add ons was rejected last summer, but reports this week place Al Hilal at the front of the queue, with Al Qadsiah also exploring the possibility of a deal. Even at 33, Salah remains one of football’s most marketable and productive talents, and the pursuit is expected to intensify as January approaches.

For now, Liverpool, Salah and Arne Slot must navigate an increasingly delicate situation. The coming months will determine whether this is a brief rift or the beginning of a long farewell for one of the club’s greatest players.