Mohamed Salah approaching 'crucial' moment at Liverpool amid transfer links

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is out of form and he continues to be linked with an exit with more than a year remaining on the contract he signed in April 2025

Mohamed Salah during the warm-up ahead of the Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.(Image: James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images)

It is less than a year since Mohamed Salah signed a new contract with Liverpool, but after a difficult season for the Egyptian, the speculation that he could depart in the summer is unlikely to die down.

Salah remains of interest to the Saudi Pro League, while links with Serie A and MLS have emerged in recent weeks. What is certain is that if the 33-year-old was to move on, either this summer or the one after when his contract expires, there won't be a shortage of suitors.

"With every week that goes by, I think Salah edges closer to leaving Liverpool this season," Gus Poyet told Bet Wright this week.

"A month ago, I wasn’t entirely sure, but I think the balance has shifted towards a departure in the summer. Under Arne Slot, Salah has found it more difficult on the pitch and it appears he’s lost a bit of confidence.

"The next month will be crucial for Salah as to whether he stays or goes. Based on his expressions, we could see the end of an era in a few months' time."

This season, Salah has scored seven times to date, though he only has four in 19 in the Premier League. His last league goal was against Aston Villa on Nov. 1.

Rio Ngumoha replaced Mohamed Salah as Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

There have been calls for Liverpool to turn to Rio Ngumoha with Salah and Cody Gakpo struggling for form. However, Slot will continue to be careful with his integration, with the long-term in mind.

"It’s easier to bring him in and build his confidence that way, rather than putting him in from the start and maybe it doesn’t work," Sam Allardyce said on his No Tippy Tappy Football podcast this week.

"So, you know, build his confidence nice and slow so that the players who are not playing that well at this moment in time, then the manager will make the ultimate decision in the end.

"But the players will be looking over the shoulder and saying, 'I need to lift my game up if this lad’s coming because he’s going to take my place'.

"I don’t disagree with bringing him off the subs bench, and I think that it’s a great way of feeding him in.

"If he’s getting the praise for it and people have started pushing for him to start, then that’s great. But maybe the coach thinks not quite yet."

Liverpool.com says: Salah finding his form again is not beyond the realms of possibility (he showed how good he can still be recently against Brighton). With Florian Wirtz coming back soon from the minor injury that stopped him playing against Nottingham Forest, that should help as well.