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Mohamed Salah will be back in the Liverpool squad to face Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, a game which the winger admitted could be his last for the club.
Salah missed Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, after an explosive mixed zone interview led to him being disciplined. A frustrated Salah was left on the bench during a 3-3 draw with Leeds United last week, and the winger made his feelings clear after the game.
While claiming that Liverpool had thrown him "under the bus" as an excuse for poor performances, and saying he has no connection with head coach Arne Slot, Salah also hinted that his future could be elsewhere. Salah vowed to say "goodbye" to the fans before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, but was cryptic when speaking about his eventual return.
Salah will join the Egypt national team after Saturday's game, and should the seven-time AFCON champions progress far, he could be absent for over a month. While Liverpool was aware of this when Egypt qualified, the club only prepared for a temporary hiatus.
After Salah spoke out against the club and hinted that his future could be elsewhere, Liverpool fans were concerned that his days may be numbered. Salah even said that he invited his family to watch the game against Brighton at Anfield.
"Yesterday I said to them, come to the Brighton game," Salah said in the mixed zone last week. "I don't know if I am going to play or not, but I am going to enjoy it.
"In my head, I'm going to enjoy that game because I don't know what is going to happen now. I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to the Africa Cup. I don't know what is going to happen when I am there."
Salah was then asked if it could be his "last game" for Liverpool. "In football, you never know," he replied. "I don’t accept this situation. I have done so much for this club."
After sharing his frustrations with Liverpool and claiming that he was not close with Slot, Salah was then asked if the situation could be resolved. "I cannot say it is impossible, but from what I feel, I have done so much for the club, I love the fans and the club so much, but I don’t know what is going to happen next."
The mixed zone incident sparked intense transfer speculation, with the Saudi Pro League closely monitoring the situation after previous failed attempts to sign Salah. Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber also said he'd welcome Salah with "open arms" during a recent interview.
However, Liverpool signed Salah to a two-year extension in April and has no plans to sell. When asked whether he would like Salah to stay at Anfield beyond next month, Slot said: "I have no reasons not wanting him to stay, if that is a little bit of an answer."
After being dropped in midweek, Salah will return against Brighton, though it's yet to be confirmed whether he will start or remain on the bench. According to The Athletic, Slot believed it was in the team's best interests to involve Salah and not prolong his absence.
Although the situation remains tense, and Slot and Salah have yet to resolve any issues fully, Liverpool plans to operate professionally on Saturday. The matter will be discussed further with Salah and his team during AFCON.
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