Szoboszlai Keeps the Peace as Salah-Liverpool Drama Unfolds
10 December 2025
Szoboszlai on Salah and Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s star, stressed that the dispute between Mohamed Salah and the club centers on the player himself, and has nothing to do with the rest of the Reds.
Benchings and next steps
Manager Arne Slot left Salah out of Tuesday's Inter Milan clash, a 1-0 Liverpool win away thanks to Szoboszlai’s stoppage‑time penalty.
According to The Independent, Salah has drawn interest from the Saudi Pro League, but Szoboszlai emphasized his friendship with Salah and insisted Liverpool players do not control future events.
“I am very close to him. It is not about players. The decision is his alone and about his life and career. I think the matter is not about players, so there is nothing I can say about it,” Szoboszlai said.
He declined to say whether he wishes Salah to stay, adding: “The matter isn't a decision for us as players. I love him as a person and as a friend. And as a player, he has given a lot to this club, so the decision will be between the club and him.”
Curtis Jones added: “Salah is an independent person in his decisions. I can't speak for another man, and everyone knows the legendary status he holds. The current situation isn't for me to discuss.”
Slot had Salah on the bench in the last three league games, with no starting spots vs West Ham and Leeds, and only coming on as a substitute against Sunderland.
Salah is set to join Egypt immediately after next week's Brighton match for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this month.
He has stirred global headlines after the draw with Leeds, sitting on the bench and firing fiery comments toward his coach and his stance on playing for the club in the near future.
“I've given a lot to this club over the years, especially last season, and now I sit on the bench and I don't know why,” Salah said.
“It seems the club has abandoned me... there were many promises in the summer, and I am still benched in three games, so I can't say they kept their word.”
“I have said my relationship with the manager is good, and suddenly it broke; I don't know why... but it seems there are people who don't want me at the club.”
Punchline 1: If bench-warming were an Olympic sport, Salah would win gold while the rest of the squad cheers from the bench.
Punchline 2: Szoboszlai’s diplomacy is so sharp it could file down the raw edges of a transfer saga and still leave everyone smiling.