Liverpool's iconic striker Ian Rush has reiterated the precise condition under which Mohamed Salah should consider departing Anfield, advice that has gained fresh relevance amid the Egyptian's current struggles.
The Rush Precedent: Leaving on Your Own Terms
Speaking last year, Rush drew from his own career to outline a clear principle for Salah. The Welsh legend, who left Liverpool for Leeds United in 1996 after breaking all the club's scoring records, emphasised that a player should only move on when they are no longer a regular starter.
"I left because I wasn't playing regularly," Rush explained, reflecting on his decision to depart after seeing the prolific partnership of Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore emerge. "I just wanted to play football. I didn't want to sit on the bench and that's what you've got to look at."
At the time of those comments, Salah was in sensational form, having just fired Liverpool to the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot with 29 goals in the 2024/25 season. Rush was adamant then that Salah's situation was entirely different, stating: "But that was my situation... Mo's not even got to that stage yet so no, there's not really any reason for him to go yet."
Salah's Sharp Decline and Bench Role
Fast forward to the 2025/26 campaign, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. The 33-year-old forward has endured a surprisingly slow start to the season by his own lofty standards.
His dip in form has coincided with wider tactical struggles for Slot, who is attempting to integrate new signings. The situation culminated in Salah being dropped to the bench for Liverpool's match against West Ham United at the end of November, where he remained an unused substitute.
In a significant move, Slot then omitted Salah from the starting line-up for the subsequent game against Sunderland. This marked only the second time in his nine seasons at the club that he had failed to start two consecutive matches.
Reports from the time described the player as 'unhappy' with his situation, casting doubt over his long-term future at the club despite signing a new two-year contract as recently as April 2025, which ties him to Liverpool until 2027.
Weighing Up the Future at Anfield
The parallels with Rush's own exit are now becoming clearer. Salah's recent benching directly triggers the condition set out by the Liverpool great. Where once there was speculation about a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, the conversation now centres on whether a proud professional should seek a fresh challenge to play weekly football.
Rush's rationale was simple: "I was enjoying my football and that's the reason why I went to Leeds." The key question for Salah and the club's hierarchy is whether his current role, and the team's overall struggles, still bring that enjoyment and fulfilment.
With Liverpool's form wavering and Salah no longer an automatic selection, the forward may soon face the same career crossroads Rush encountered. Following the legend's advice could see Salah walk away at the season's end with his head held high, having delivered another Premier League title, rather than lingering in a diminished capacity.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this is a temporary blip or a permanent changing of the guard at Anfield, forcing one of the club's greatest ever players to consider a dignified exit on terms he himself would have recognised a year ago.
