Salah Left Off the Flight to Italy – A Decision That Shakes England
Liverpool haven’t faced a crisis this intense since Arne Slot took over early this season. But the absence of Mohamed Salah from the team flight to Milan in the early hours of December 10 took the situation to another level entirely.
According to sources in England, Salah wasn’t just left out of the matchday squad — he was also barred from participating in the final training session before facing Inter Milan. This was a clear disciplinary action, signaling a rift that can no longer be hidden.
Behind the decision was a conversation described as “heated” between Salah and the coaching staff. Both sides were said to have exchanged harsh words, creating an atmosphere so tense that upper management had to intervene.
In the past, Salah was seen as the “ultimate pillar” of Anfield. Now, he faces the possibility of being removed from Liverpool’s plans for more than just one match.
Seeds of Conflict: A Public Outburst That Shocked Anfield
The crisis traces back to Salah’s post-match interview following the 3–3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road on December 7. Speaking to the media, Salah voiced clear frustration, saying he had been turned into a “scapegoat” and unfairly blamed for the club’s poor run of results.
The statement caused immediate uproar. At Liverpool, publicly criticizing the coaching staff is almost taboo — and Salah’s choice to air grievances through the press was deemed far beyond what the club could tolerate.
Liverpool’s leadership, including representatives from Fenway Sports Group (FSG), were reportedly “stunned” by Salah’s remarks. For the first time in years, a once rock-solid relationship between Salah and the club hierarchy appeared fractured.
The interview turned the 3–3 draw itself into a footnote. Fans, media, and even Liverpool forums fixated on one question: What is happening with Salah?
Escalating Tensions at the Worst Possible Time
What makes this situation even more serious is its timing. Salah is preparing to join the Egyptian national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Even without disciplinary measures, he would have been absent from Liverpool for several weeks.
Now, with an internal suspension, Salah’s future at Anfield looks more uncertain than ever.
Fans are asking:
— Does Liverpool still want to keep Salah?
— Does Salah still feel that Anfield is the place for him?
— And does Slot want to build his system around a star who is publicly dissatisfied?
These questions have plunged the club into unexpected turmoil. Throughout his career, Salah has been known for professionalism and focus. For a veteran like him to explode emotionally in front of the media suggests frustration that had been building for a long time.
Aftermath: A Changing Liverpool, or a Salah Who No Longer Fits?
Arne Slot’s arrival has brought a new identity to Liverpool — one centered on speed, high pressing, and collective sacrifice. For Salah, now 33 and no longer at his physical peak, adapting to such a system has been challenging.
Though he is still Liverpool’s top scorer, he no longer holds an “untouchable” role. In recent matches, despite taking many shots, his efficiency has dipped, and his reliance on individual play has slowed the team’s counterattacks.
These signs haven’t gone unnoticed by the coaching staff. The blow-up between Salah and the management is seen as the culmination of long-existing frustrations on both sides.
Additionally, Salah and Liverpool had disagreements over salary negotiations during his 2022 contract renewal. Although resolved at the time, many believe this was the first visible crack — one that now may be splitting open more dramatically.
Saudi Pro League: A Wide-Open Door After the Anfield Turmoil
As Liverpool scramble to manage the crisis, heavyweights from the Saudi Pro League are already circling.
Clubs backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have never hidden their desire to recruit high-profile European superstars. For them, Salah is the perfect figure: globally influential, beloved across Egypt, and iconic in the Arab world.
Since the summer of 2023, Saudi clubs have repeatedly attempted to sign Salah, only to be rejected by Liverpool. But with Anfield now engulfed in internal chaos, they believe this is the “golden moment” to revive a blockbuster transfer.
Experts say that if Liverpool feel Salah no longer aligns with their long-term plans, they may opt to sell him in January 2026, securing a strong transfer fee instead of holding onto an unhappy player with a shortening contract.
Salah’s Future: Stay or Go?
Right now, the question of Mohamed Salah’s future has more possible outcomes than ever:
- If he stays:
He must repair his relationship with Slot and the management while proving he can still lead under a new tactical system — a daunting challenge given the emotional damage already done.
- If he leaves:
Saudi Arabia is the most likely destination. There, Salah would become the unquestioned face of the entire league. Salary would not be an issue, and he would be welcomed as a Middle Eastern icon.
- If he waits until after the 2025 AFCON:
The situation could shift unpredictably. Liverpool will face strategic and financial decisions as the season reaches its decisive phase.
Regardless of what happens next, Salah’s removal from the squad against Inter Milan is no longer just a disciplinary action. It feels like a declaration that Liverpool are redefining their identity — and one of the club’s greatest stars may no longer stand at its center.