Ornstein insight reshapes outlook on Salah future at Liverpool
The turbulence surrounding Mohamed Salah’s position at Liverpool has evolved into one of the defining storylines of the season. What initially appeared to be frustration after a night of dropped points has matured into a deep and complex situation with implications for the player, the manager and the club’s long-term strategy. With reports emerging from respected journalists such as Ornstein, the wider football world now has a clearer sense of how the dynamics have shifted — and why the next steps matter.
Salah frustration sparks wider debate
Salah’s comments after the draw at Leeds United were seismic not because of their tone, but because of their rarity. For eight years he has been a model of consistency and composure, delivering goals and performances at levels matched by only a handful of modern Premier League forwards. Yet his admission that he felt “thrown under the bus”, combined with three matches without a place in the starting XI, signalled a player no longer aligned with the current rhythm under Arne Slot.
Senior figures inside the club remain taken aback by how quickly the situation seemed to escalate. Their stance is unchanged: Salah is contracted until 2027 and the temporary rotation was never intended to diminish his role. But the sense persists that the forward believes his influence has been undervalued, and that the breakdown in communication with Slot represents something more fundamental.
Market forces and future options
When mapping out Salah’s options for the future, realism is essential. Saudi Arabia remains the most financially potent market, and previous interest from Al Ittihad established a connection that could easily be reignited. Whether the Pro League can offer the competitiveness or prestige Salah still desires is another matter. Clubs there retain admiration for him, but squad restrictions and star hierarchies may complicate any January attempt.
MLS offers visibility and a new market to tap into, but the commercial upside would not replicate the Messi-era boom. American franchises admire Salah’s stature — San Diego and Chicago Fire among them — yet structural limitations, salary demands and squad planning place any deal firmly in the “future possibility” category rather than an imminent solution.
Spain and Italy, historically attractive destinations for elite forwards, appear unrealistic. Financial restrictions in La Liga make a marquee signing of this magnitude challenging, while Serie A’s economic landscape makes a deal of Salah’s scale implausible. Paris Saint-Germain have shifted away from superstar-led recruitment, closing another long-speculated door.
Within England, the idea of Salah joining a Premier League rival remains almost unthinkable. The emotional cost alone would be immense, never mind the low likelihood of Liverpool sanctioning such a move.
Commercial reality behind the next chapter
Beyond footballing considerations, Salah’s commercial profile plays a critical role. He is one of the Premier League’s most recognisable global athletes, with a reach unmatched by many of the league’s biggest stars. Any next step must respect not only the sporting aspect but also the brand he has built — particularly in Egypt and the wider Arab world, where he commands extraordinary influence.
Experts in commercial strategy note that his management will aim to preserve his position as an elite global figure, rather than drifting towards markets that may not elevate his profile. That places further emphasis on timing. A move too early, or to a league that limits global engagement, could do more harm than good from a long-term perspective.
Liverpool’s challenge in shaping the future
For Liverpool, the priority is clarity. The club have no desire to sell and continue to see Salah as central to their plans, both on the pitch and as a global ambassador. Yet they are equally aware that if tensions remain unresolved, an awkward stalemate benefits no-one.
Salah’s next public steps will therefore carry weight. Whether the dialogue improves with Slot, or whether external interest intensifies as the season progresses, will determine whether this becomes a turning point or a temporary disruption. What remains certain is that his legacy at Anfield is secure — but the direction of his future, for the first time in years, feels genuinely open.
