Salah exit decision made after latest Liverpool news | OneFootball

Liverpool draw firm line on Salah future

Liverpool have moved decisively to shut down any prospect of Mohamed Salah leaving Anfield in January. According to TeamTalk, sources indicate the club have hardened their stance following a turbulent few weeks that have placed Salah’s future firmly under the spotlight. What once felt like an unresolved situation has now been reframed internally as a non negotiable position.

Salah has cut an unhappy figure of late, particularly after an explosive interview in which he accused Liverpool of wanting him gone and “throwing him under the bus”. His emotional lap of honour after the 2-0 win over Brighton only intensified speculation, especially with his Africa Cup of Nations duties looming. Yet behind the scenes, the message from Liverpool’s ownership has shifted from caution to clarity.

Photo IMAGO

Boston message reshapes January thinking

Sources now describe a strong “Salah to stay manifesto” emerging from FSG’s Boston headquarters. In the space of days, Liverpool’s view has moved from Salah being “unlikely to leave” to a position where the club are “wholeheartedly now intent on blocking his departure under all circumstances”.

This shift has been influenced by squad context as much as sentiment. Injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, with the issue affecting the Swede deemed “serious”, have fundamentally altered Liverpool’s January calculations. Salah’s camp are aware that those setbacks make a departure virtually impossible.

Photo IMAGO

Clear the air talks define expectations

Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, has been explicit in discussions with the club. After Salah was benched for four consecutive matches, Abbas made it clear his client expects to be a starter and “under no circumstances” will accept a squad role upon his return.

Photo IMAGO

Salah himself reiterated that position before joining up with Egypt, making it known he would be ready to leave in January if Liverpool sanctioned an exit and reached agreement over his contract. However, Liverpool’s response has been firm. They have told his advisors that any departure would only be considered if it did not detract from their ambitions for the season.

Despite recent benchings, Arne Slot “still very much values the player” and remains appreciative of what Salah continues to bring. Talks between sporting director Richard Hughes and Salah’s camp are ongoing, but the club insist they are “not looking for him to leave”.

Photo IMAGO

Squad depth dictates strategy

Liverpool sources confirm Salah is now categorised as “not for sale”, a stance strengthened rather than created by recent injuries. While Liverpool have looked into a possible move for Antoine Semenyo, they are “not currently ready to push the button” on that or any other January deal.

If Isak is ruled out for at least two months, as sources believe likely, Liverpool are unwilling to allow any departure that would “seriously harm their squad and plans for this season”. The club’s current position is one of assessment rather than action, with no active incomings anticipated as January approaches.

For now, Liverpool’s priority is stability. The door is not merely closed, it has been locked.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Liverpool supporters, this report brings relief mixed with lingering unease. Relief because Salah remains indispensable, and letting him go in January would have felt reckless given the injuries already stretching the squad. Unease because the situation has reached a point where the club captain in effect feels compelled to publicly question his standing.

Fans will broadly support the decision to keep Salah. With Isak and Gakpo sidelined, losing another proven forward would risk unravelling the season. Supporters understand pragmatism, and this feels like a football decision rather than a commercial one.

However, there is concern about how the situation has been handled. Hearing Salah say he felt “throw[n] under the bus” cuts deep for a fanbase that views him as a modern great. Many supporters worry that repeated benchings, regardless of form or rotation logic, have created unnecessary tension.

There is also scepticism around the January strategy. The absence of active incomings makes sense in theory, but fans fear that standing still can be just as damaging as panic buying. If Isak’s injury proves long term, pressure will mount quickly.

Ultimately, Liverpool fans want alignment. Slot valuing Salah, FSG backing that stance, and the player feeling trusted again. Keeping Salah is the right call. Making him feel central again is the real challenge.