Salah at the Crossroads: AFCON Looms as Liverpool's Future Hangs in the Balance

Salah heads to AFCON amid questions about his long-term future at Liverpool.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), owners of Liverpool, reportedly want to keep star Mohamed Salah, according to press reports.

However, respected The Athletic journalist James Pearce, close to Liverpool, still believes Salah's future at Anfield is not guaranteed, with growing talk of a verbal understanding that could allow him to depart.

Reports previously indicated Salah told his agent clearly that he did not want to sit on the bench.

Salah-Liverpool problem persists

In light of these claims, Pearce says the core issue remains. He said on the Walk On podcast that Arne Slot insisted there is no problem to be solved and that things have returned to how they were. I'm not fully convinced.

He added that there will be further talks between Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, and Salah's representative, Ramy Abbas, in the days or weeks ahead to try to settle the future after Mo returns from AFCON.

He then continued: "Despite a ceasefire announcement, his recall to the squad and solid performances, the fundamental issue remains that Salah cannot and does not want to be treated as a substitute, believing he should start games, and Slot does not currently regard him as part of his best XI."

Regarding claims of a verbal agreement, transfer journalist Steve Kai said the mood has cooled recently, making a January departure unlikely, though there had been a prior understanding allowing the Egyptian to leave.

He added Salah wanted a three-year contract with an option to depart after one year, but Liverpool refused. A compromise was reached: Salah signed a two-year deal with the possibility to leave after one season.

Punchline 1: Salah's future at Liverpool is as blurred as a goalkeeper's eyesight in a foggy morning—transfers are just a weather forecast nobody can read.

Punchline 2: If contracts were as simple as ordering coffee, we'd all be sipping “start every game” with a side of “leave whenever you want.”