Mo Salah has been dropped from Liverpool starting lineup by manager Arne Slot for the last four consecutive matches.
In the last match against Inter Milan, the Egyptian winger was not even included in the matchday squad despite Liverpool being short of substitutes. This was Slot’s punishment for Salah after the star openly criticized the club.
Last weekend, with Liverpool mired in crisis after a last-minute 3-3 draw against Leeds, Salah further fueled the fire with his controversial remarks. The 33-year-old striker claimed Liverpool had broken their promise to him and asserted that he and manager Slot “no longer have any relationship.”
Most importantly, Salah has indicated that today’s match against Brighton could be his last in a Liverpool shirt. After this match, he will join up with the Egyptian national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, coinciding with the opening of the winter transfer window. Salah’s intentions are clear: he will seek to leave Anfield in January rather than stay and accept a role as a substitute.
Salah has reason to be dissatisfied. Last season, he was the Premier League’s best player, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists to help Liverpool win the title. This outstanding performance also earned Salah a new contract with a record-breaking salary at Anfield.
This season, Salah’s playing style has remained unchanged, but his effectiveness has been less pronounced. The problem is that the media and fans have almost entirely blamed Salah for Liverpool’s decline in form, even though the team is in a transitional phase with numerous changes in both personnel and playing style.
However, no one can defend Salah when he openly criticizes the club. Even as a “legend” at Anfield, Salah should not put himself above the club’s interests. And today, Salah faces the risk of leaving Liverpool in the most heartbreaking way possible: a prolonged spell on the bench.
Liverpool had a brief respite from the pressure after their narrow win against Inter Milan. However, returning to the Premier League to host Brighton presents a tougher challenge. Few would have expected Brighton to be two places above Liverpool in the Premier League table. Fabian Hurzeler’s team employs a proactive, possession-based, attacking style, but they are also capable of counter-attacking when needed. Brighton’s dynamic style of play has the potential to pose significant problems for Liverpool, who have struggled in many aspects.
It’s fair to say that Liverpool’s form has declined since the end of last season, when they were all but guaranteed to win the Premier League. However, manager Arne Slot and the Liverpool board have ignored this and invested too heavily in attack, creating a serious imbalance in their squad.
With Cody Gakpo out injured and Federico Chiesa ill, manager Slot will likely rely on Salah to bolster Liverpool’s attack. He has scored 10 goals in 16 Premier League games against Brighton, with fewer against West Ham, Southampton (11 goals in both games), Tottenham, Bournemouth (12 goals in both games), and Manchester United (13 goals).
If Slot agrees to put the conflict aside, Salah may have a chance to start and bid a more fitting farewell to Liverpool fans. However, that would also mean a greater chance of Liverpool dropping points.