Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland may have opened the door to one of the most unexpected transfer storylines of the winter.
The result itself was frustrating enough for Arne Slot’s side, rescued only by a late Nordi Mukiele own-goal.
Liverpool needed three points from that game badly. Arsenal are ahead of them by 11 points now.
It will have to be a dramatic turnaround for Liverpool to pose a title challenge this season.
Also, the Dutch manager might now have to focus on staying in the hunt for the Champions League next season.
However, there was one decision from Slot that drew more attention than the performance of the Liverpool players on the pitch.
The post-match discussion quickly swerved toward a massive issue: Mohamed Salah’s future. For the second consecutive match, Salah began on the bench.
He was unused against West Ham and introduced only in the second half against Sunderland. This sequence has raised eyebrows across the league.
His form has dipped this season, with just five goals in all competitions, and his reduced influence has now become impossible to ignore.
Jamie Redknapp (via Sky Sports) believes the situation is approaching a breaking point. He admitted he would be surprised if Salah sees out his contract, which runs until 2027.
In fact, he suggested that a January exit could be on the cards.
Redknapp highlighted the difficulty of keeping a player of Salah’s stature on the sidelines, warning that the forward will not tolerate a diminished role for long.
Also, Liverpool rejected a £150 million bid from Al Ittihad in 2023. But the Saudis remain eager for their next marquee arrival.
If Salah decides he cannot accept a reduced role under Slot, the Saudi Pro League may reignite interest sooner than expected.
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