As the January transfer deadline day arrives, Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool remains shrouded in significant uncertainty. This follows the Egyptian superstar's explosive public criticism of manager Arne Slot late last year, which has thrown his long-term Anfield prospects into serious question.
The Bombshell Interview That Changed Everything
Salah, who recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations where he captained Egypt to the semi-finals, dropped a remarkable bombshell following a 3-3 draw with Leeds United in late 2025. In an unusually direct address to journalists, the 33-year-old forward revealed his deep frustrations about being relegated to the substitutes' bench.
"I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why," Salah stated pointedly. "It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame."
A Relationship in Tatters
Perhaps most damaging was Salah's revelation about his relationship with manager Arne Slot. "I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship," he confessed. When pressed specifically about whether his rapport with Slot had deteriorated, Salah responded unequivocally: "Yeah, there's no relationship between us. It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden there is no relationship."
This public airing of grievances marked a dramatic turn for a player who had signed a fresh two-year contract with Liverpool just months earlier in April 2025. At that time, it had appeared probable he might depart given previous summer interest from the Saudi Pro League and his contract situation.
Slot's Response and the Fallout
Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed Salah's comments later that week, expressing surprise at the nature of the criticism. "It was a surprise to me when I heard he gave the comments he gave," Slot stated before a Champions League fixture against Inter Milan, for which Salah was notably omitted from the squad.
The immediate aftermath of Salah's tirade suggested an imminent January departure might be on the cards. However, teammate Curtis Jones later revealed that Salah had apologised to his colleagues following a match against Brighton, in which he emerged from the bench to provide an assist.
"Mo apologised to us and was like, 'If I've affected anybody or made you feel any sort of way, I apologise'," Jones told Sky Sports. "That's the man that he is. He was positive as well. He was the exact same Mo, he had a big smile on his face and everybody was exactly the same with him."
A Legacy Under Scrutiny
Salah's Liverpool legacy is unquestionably substantial. Since arriving at Anfield in 2017 after an underwhelming spell at Chelsea, he has become Liverpool's all-time leading Premier League goal-scorer and holds the same distinction in European competitions. During his nearly decade-long tenure on Merseyside, he has won virtually every major honour available: the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Yet despite this remarkable legacy and his recent contract extension, Salah's firm position in his controversial interview suggested he was genuinely weighing up his Anfield future. The tension has somewhat cooled since his return from international duty, but fundamental questions remain unanswered as the transfer deadline approaches.
Deadline Day Uncertainty
With the January transfer window reaching its climax, Salah's destiny remains fundamentally unclear. The Egyptian's explosive comments have created a situation where his future at Liverpool cannot be taken for granted, despite his apology to teammates and continued presence in the squad.
The relationship breakdown with manager Arne Slot, combined with Salah's evident frustration about his reduced role, has created a volatile backdrop to what should be a celebratory period for one of Liverpool's greatest ever players. As deadline day unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this situation prompts any last-minute transfer movement or whether Salah will see out the remainder of his contract amidst this strained atmosphere.
