After Mohamed Salah was left on the bench for a third consecutive match (a 3–3 draw against Leeds United), he gave an explosive — and public — post-match interview.
He said he felt the club had “thrown me under the bus,” claimed he no longer had a relationship with his coach Arne Slot, and suggested someone wanted him gone.
He even hinted that the upcoming home game vs Brighton & Hove Albion might be his last at the club.
In response, Liverpool decided to omit him from the 19-man squad for their next match: the UCL tie against Inter Milan.
The decision came from the board + manager with no disciplinary charges — though it appears clearly as a reaction to the public remarks.
The club describes the move as a “cooling-off” or reset to protect squad harmony after what many viewed internally as a damaging outburst.
Meanwhile, Salah is scheduled to join his national side for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on December 15.
That means — even before any January transfer window — there is a real possibility that his next appearance could be months away.
Some insiders and media suggest the match against Brighton could indeed be his final one for Liverpool, at least for now.
The background — why this matters (and how it started)
Salah has long been a talisman for Liverpool: since joining in 2017, he’s scored 250 goals in 420 appearances and been central to their successes.
Yet this season has seen him out of favour, with limited playing time and a dip in form compared to previous years.
The straw that broke the camel’s back seems to be his frustration at being repeatedly benched, leading to what club insiders considered a breach of protocol/respect by airing grievances publicly — at a time when the club is already under pressure.
Given his admission that he sees no guarantee of a future at Anfield — plus interest from abroad (notably from Saudi clubs) — many pundits and fans believe a January exit is now a very real possibility.
What we know now — and what remains uncertain
Known facts:
Salah has been dropped from the squad for Inter Milan.
The omission is linked to his outspoken interview after the Leeds game, where he openly criticised the club’s treatment of him.
He’s due to leave for AFCON on Dec 15 — meaning the upcoming Brighton game could be his last before a prolonged break.
What remains unclear:
Whether he will even play vs Brighton — the club hasn’t confirmed his inclusion. Some suggest it’d be a “farewell,” others say he might remain out.
Whether the public fallout signals the end of his Liverpool career, or just a temporary rift that could be mended after AFCON.
If he stays away, whether he ends up transferring in the January window — possibly to a club outside Europe (as has been speculated).
What this means — the bigger picture for Salah and the club
This is more than just a disciplinary omission: it feels like a climactic point in a breakdown of trust between a club icon and its management.
For Salah — a club legend — it’s potentially the end of an era. If he leaves (permanently or temporarily), fans may start re-evaluating his legacy, and whether his emotional outburst was worth it.
For the club — it underscores a shift in authority: even top players are not “untouchable,” and public dissent may no longer be tolerated. It also signals that management is willing to make bold decisions to protect dressing-room cohesion.
For next few months — with Salah away at AFCON and possibly absent when he returns — Liverpool will have to adapt without one of their key players.
It also raises questions about squad balance, morale, and long-term planning as they navigate the second half of the season.
