Liverpool cult hero tells Mohamed Salah the truth about his Anfield future

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes the Merseyside club has dealt with Mohamed Salah's situation well and thinks there's still a way back for the player

Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool next month(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey is of the opinion that Mohamed Salah still has a role to play at Anfield.

Salah, 33, has been in the limelight recently following a heated interview after Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds. The Egyptian forward suggested he had been "thrown under the bus" and hinted at a strained relationship with Liverpool's head coach, Arne Slot.

Salah was omitted from Liverpool's squad for the match against Inter Milan after his comments. Following discussions with Slot, he returned to the Reds' matchday squad for their 2-0 victory over Brighton, stepping in for the injured Joe Gomez early in the first half.

However, as the Egyptian prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations and with the January transfer window on the horizon, his future at Merseyside remains uncertain.

Heskey, who donned the Liverpool jersey 223 times, has weighed in on the dramatic situation that has been making headlines recently. "It's always going to be a difficult situation when your best players comes out and makes a statement and you're kind of firefighting after that," Heskey told the Liverpool ECHO.

"I feel like they've dealt with it well. The reality is, there's certain players that need to be treated a little bit different and us, as players, understand that and Mo Salah's one of them.

Emile Heskey is a former Liverpool player(Image: Getty Images)

"There's a situation now that you have to really articulate yourself in the best manner you possibly can to let him know, understanding why you're going about it.

"He is not a young player, so in essence, young players don't really need that sitting down and explaining as much.

"He's a record assister, he's got everything, so he deserves a certain amount of attention, and if you haven't done that, then I wouldn't say you're to blame, but you should know better, and Mo Salah's in that situation, he deserves better.

"In saying that he is not susceptible to being dropped or being put on the bench or even being put on the stand. That is totally up to the manager, but there is a way of doing it with players that have sort of stature."

Heskey reckons the Reds' star striker can still carve out a future under Slot, despite speculation connecting him with a lucrative switch to the Saudi Pro League. He continued: "There's always a way back, trust me.

"When I first got into Leicester, Simon Grayson was there. He was told, 'You're no longer wanted, and go and find another club.'

"I worked my way way back in, so there's that, and I know this is a different kettle of fish, but there's always a way back in, especially with players like that.

"First and foremost, you need to sit down with each other, all parties need to sit down and be honest, just discuss where it went wrong, so I think that's the key thing right now."