Liverpool make Mo Salah January transfer decision | OneFootball

Liverpool's relationship with star player Mohamed Salah was thrown into uncertainty just a few weeks ago.

The Egyptian King spoke out after being dropped to the bench for a third Premier League game in succession against Leeds at Elland Road.

Salah, 33, was previously left out against West Ham and Sunderland - before the Reds' 3-3 draw against the West Yorkshire side.

He told a throng of journalists that the relationship between him and head coach Arne Slot was non-existent. Salah also claimed that a figure inside Liverpool wanted him out of the club.

Salah's outburst created uncertainty

The club's reaction was swift and decisive - banishing the winger for the Champions League trip to Inter Milan before a clear-the-air meeting with Slot.

Shop the LFC Store

LFC x adidas

Shop the away range TODAY

LFC x adidas

Shop the goalkeeper range today

LFC x adidas Third Kit

Shop the third kit range today!

And Salah found himself back in the matchday squad for the Premier League against Brighton - coming off the bench to contribute an assist against the Seagulls.

With Egypt now away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah is not expected back until their participation is concluded.

And when he returns Salah should still have a role to play.

Salah under contract until 2027

That is despite speculation that Liverpool would seek to offload Salah in the January transfer window - with clubs in Saudi Arabia known to be interested in his services.

Salah is under contract until 2027 on a deal worth £400k per week. If Liverpool don't find a place for Salah as a starter then it can be considered a very expensive contract for a substitute.

But now a report in TEAMtalk states that Liverpool have got no intention of letting Salah leave in January.

Alexander Isak is now injured - reducing Liverpool's attacking options - with Cody Gakpo also waiting to come back to full fitness.

© Anfield Watch

FSG will block Salah departure

Liverpool therefore will need all the attacking might they can muster - especially if no deal for a new, incoming attacker can be done over winter.

The report states that FSG's stance has hardened over Salah in recent days.

"In the space of a few days, Salah’s situation has gone from an ‘unlikely to leave’ to one in which the club are wholeheartedly now intent on blocking his departure under all circumstances," the report reads.

The injuries to Gakpo and Isak will no doubt be playing a part in the club's thinking here. And the report also reveals that talks have been held between decision-makers at Anfield and Ramy Abbas - Salah's agent.

The representative insists that Salah cannot become a bench player and therefore will not accept being used in a bit-part role.

That stance may still leave Salah and Slot on a collision course - with the head coach figuring out a winning formula that doesn't include the two-time African Footballer of the Year.

Now we must wait and see how this situation gets resolved.

We will find out as soon as Egypt are knocked out of Afcon.