Liverpool still have a major decision to make over Mohamed Salah’s future at the club following the star forward’s bombshell interview on Saturday night.
Salah has trained with his team-mates ahead of the trip to Inter Milan in the Champions League and appeared to be in good spirits as head coach Arne Slot watched on - but he could yet be left out of the squad after his explosive comments.
Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” and claimed his relationship with head coach Slot had broken down after he was benched for the third successive game ahead of the match against Leeds at Elland Road.
The 33-year-old chose to speak to reporters after the 3-3 draw and plunged struggling Liverpool further into a crisis by suggesting that Saturday’s home match against Brighton could be his last for the club.
Liverpool play Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday and the travelling party for the match will be confirmed later this afternoon, with head coach Slot due to respond to Salah’s comments for the first time when he speaks to the media this evening.
Follow the latest news and updates on Salah’s future, below:
Salah news live: Latest Liverpool updates
- Mohamed Salah takes part in Liverpool training after explosive interview
- Reds travel to Milan this afternoon ahead of facing Inter on Tuesday
- Arne Slot to address Salah's explosive comments at press conference tonight
- Salah claimed Liverpool have thrown him under the bus on Saturday evening
- Star forward also claimed his relationship with head coach Slot has broken down
Fans react to Liverpool star’s benching row
15:15 , IndependentIndependent readers have reacted with shock and disbelief after Mohamed Salah accused Liverpool of “throwing him under the bus” and making him a scapegoat for the team’s poor form.
The Egyptian, who has been benched by Arne Slot for the last three games, said he no longer has a relationship with the manager and accused the club of breaking promises made to him.
Salah indicated he could be leaving Liverpool after the African Cup of Nations, with next weekend’s Brighton game potentially serving as his farewell.
Readers were divided by his comments. Some expressed sympathy for Salah, highlighting his 250 career goals and record-equalling 47 goal involvements last season, and criticised Liverpool for sidelining a player of his calibre.
Others argued that age and form inevitably affect a player’s starting place – and that no individual, no matter their previous contributions, is bigger than the team.
Pundits react to Salah comments
15:00 , Chris WilsonMore criticism around Salah’s comments here, with former Spurs defender Stephen Kelly saying the following on BBC:
“It kind of feels like a power play.
“Either [Mohamed Salah] wants to go and he feels this is the way to get it - which is a strange situation - or else he's just completely self-centred, which I think may be the case.
“Strikers have to have a bit of selfishness about them. On the pitch, when it works, it's fine - you're scoring goals.
“But he said he's been thrown under the bus - if anything, he's thrown the team under the bus. His comments have caused carnage in what what is already a really tough situation for Liverpool.
“There's a lot going on behind the scenes at Liverpool, it's hard to understand what is going on in that camp.
“For one of your star players not only to be failing to perform on the pitch but to be saying things like this off the pitch - it's really hard to reconcile. I'm not sure how to get back from this,” he added.
Every word from Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary rant against Liverpool and Arne Slot
14:45 , Chris WilsonIn case you missed what Salah said on Saturday, you can find every word of the explosive interview right here...
The Egyptian, who has lost his place in the Liverpool team, said he doesn’t have a relationship with Slot any more as he accused the club of breaking their promises to him.
Salah also called out Liverpool legend-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher and lamented how he has been treated differently to fellow Premier League great Harry Kane.
Every word from Salah’s extraordinary rant against Liverpool and Slot
Could Liverpool already have Salah replacement?
14:30 , Chris WilsonCould the answer to the Salah replacement question already be sitting in the Liverpool squad? Recent matches have seen Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai feature on the right for the Reds, with each scoring in respective games against West Ham and Leeds. Summer signing Hugo Ekitike could arguably feature there despite previously playing mainly as a striker and occasionally on the left.
While none of those three options feels like a longer-term solution on the right, it could well be enough to help Slot deal with the problem until the summer if Salah does indeed depart Anfield sooner rather than later.
Mohamed Salah uses Harry Kane example to argue he has been treated unfairly by media
14:05 , Chris WilsonMohamed Salah drew comparisons to fellow Premier League great Harry Kane to prove how his drop in form has been treated differently to any patch of adversity experienced by the England captain.
Salah went on an astonishing tirade against manager Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy after he was benched for the third successive game for the first time in his career, opening the door to an imminent Anfield exit.
Claiming to have been thrown “under the bus” by Liverpool, the 33-year-old said he no longer has a relationship with Slot and that he has been made the scapegoat of the club’s dire run of form, which has seen them pick up just four wins in their last 15 outings, losing nine.
Salah uses Kane example to argue he has been treated unfairly by media
Who could replace Mo Salah at Liverpool?
13:52 , Chris WilsonYan Diomande
At the opposite end of the spectrum to Olise or Gordon, Liverpool could choose to go for an as-yet-unproven talent as their next wing option. RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande only joined the club earlier this year but he has a developing reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting up-and-coming forward talents, with the 19-year-old’s recent hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt showing an impressive range of finishing and attacking prowess.
While a promising talent who could be available for far less than other wing options, it feels unlikely that Liverpool would directly replace someone as important as Salah witha youngster who has featured for Leipzig just 15 times since joining.
Pundits react to Salah comments
13:45 , Chris WilsonThere hasn’t been an awful lot of support for Salah’s comments from ex-players, with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy saying the following on BBC:
“You can be emotional, angry and frustrated but you have to keep it in the four walls of the club.
“Knock on the manager's door, go and see the owners, do whatever you have to do, express your frustration.
“By doing this, he's causing the team a problem and the manager a problem and he's making it all about him.
“You can't do it. Whether you agree with him being left out or not - you don't deal with it like this.
It's an emotional response, it doesn't really stack up. Everyone has to keep fighting for their place and performing at a certain level. I don't think he's on his own,” he added.
Who could replace Mo Salah at Liverpool?
13:30 , Chris WilsonAnthony Gordon
Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon is an interesting option for Liverpool, not least because he was previously a target for the Reds as recently as the summer of 2024. A much-publicised pursuit of the England man saw Liverpool turn down a part-exchange deal also featuring Jarell Quansah, and Gordon subsequently signed a new contract at St James’ Park.
Liverpool never re-ignited their interest for the boyhood Reds fan last summer though – perhaps due to that new contract – and while Gordon fits the bill for the type of winger who has succeeded at Anfield in recent years, is likely that Newcastle would demand a vast sum for the 24-year-old.
Who could replace Mo Salah at Liverpool?
13:22 , Chris WilsonMichael Olise
Bayern Munich forward Michael Olise has established himself as one of the finest wingers in Europe, with the Frenchman having notched up 29 goals and 36 assists since arriving in Bavaria from Crystal Palace.
Olise is likely to emerge as a target for any top club targeting a winger, with rumours recently linking him with a move to Manchester City and Arsenal as well as Liverpool.
While it is not known for sure what sort of price Bayern would demand – and they may not even be willing to consider the move – his previous Premier League pedigree would be seen as a huge positive, if Liverpool are willing to pay another large fee.
Who could replace Mo Salah at Liverpool?
13:15 , Chris WilsonAntoine Semenyo
One name that has consistently been linked to Anfield is Antoine Semenyo, with the Bournemouth man having emerged as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards over the last season or so.
Despite Liverpool’s large summer spending on attackers, reports have continued to link the Ghanaian with a move to the Reds, with suggestions that the forward has a £65m release clause that is active in January.
Semenyo has proven himself capable of playing on either wing and providing threat from both sides, and with six goals and three assists in the Premier League already this season, he may be the best option for replacing the attacking contribution previously offered by Salah.
Five possible Mohamed Salah replacements for Liverpool after rant puts future in doubt
13:05 , Chris WilsonLiverpool’s Mohamed Salah has thrown his future into doubt after an explosive rant in which he spoke of a breakdown in his relationship with Arne Slot while accusing the club of throwing him under the bus.
Salah signed a new contract earlier this year to seemingly commit his future to the club, but his comments appear to make a departure as soon as January likely.
Only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt have more goals for Liverpool than the 33-year-old, although the Egyptian has been short of his best this season amid Liverpool’s struggles in Slot’s second season in charge.
Salah has found himself out of the side in recent weeks and has been the subject of interest from abroad, and the Saudi Pro League particularly, in the past.
Here are five possible options that Liverpool could look to replace Salah with if they do move on.
Five possible Mohamed Salah replacements for Liverpool with future in doubt
Mohamed Salah has lost his superpower and his incendiary Liverpool rant points to a painful outcome
12:50 , Chris Wilson“If I speak, there will be fire,” said Mohamed Salah after what had been a rarity, a Premier League game when he had been benched. That was at West Ham in April 2024, not November 2025. When he did speak, in December 2025, it was incendiary.
Six goals were shared in an astonishing second half at Elland Road, each overshadowed by a rare audience with Salah. The accusations that followed were extraordinary. That Liverpool have thrown him under the bus, that someone – who he left unnamed – wants to blame him, that the club has broken promises to him, that his relationship with Arne Slot is non-existent.
Salah dropped hints about his future, talking about waving goodbye when he goes to the African Cup of Nations 2025; it could be a permanent farewell. It is possible to view a situation that he deemed unacceptable to him now beyond repair for Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah has lost his superpower and Liverpool rant points to one outcome
Cameras back off for training
12:40 , Chris WilsonThe cameras have been turned off for the remainder of the training session, so that’s all we can see this afternoon as we await the announcement of the travelling squad.
All in all, it looked like a pretty jovial, good-natured session across the board.
No signs of interaction between Salah and Slot
12:35 , Chris WilsonThere hasn’t been any interaction between Mo Salah and Liverpool manager Arne Slot yet today, though that could mean little depending on what has been said behind closed doors since.
Nevertheless, there are no signs of an obvious reconciliation so far.
Reports: Salah to be left out of Liverpool squad for Inter Milan match
12:30 , Chris WilsonLiverpool will fly out to Milan at 3.30pm GMT ahead of tomorrow’s game, so we wait to see for certain if Salah is part of their travelling squad when it’s announced later on.
Reports: Salah to be left out of Liverpool squad for Inter Milan match
12:27 , Chris WilsonThe Athletic’s David Ornstein is now reporting that Salah is “expected to be left out of” the Liverpool squad for the match against Inter Milan.
Ornstein’s report says that the move is “not viewed as punishment” for Salah but more as a common sense decision, and the club do still want the Egyptian to stay at Anfield.
Crucially, it adds that a final decision on the forward’s place in the squad for tomorrow’s game is “yet to be made”.
🚨 Mohamed Salah expected to be left out of Liverpool squad for Inter match. No final decision yet + 33yo training. Would underline Arne Slot support but not viewed as punishment - more common sense after comments + #LFC want forward to stay @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/IFPLR9dB5I
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 8, 2025
Salah all smiles in Liverpool training
12:20 , Chris WilsonInteresting to note that Salah himself also looks pretty happy early on here, clearly joking and smiling with several members of the Liverpool squad.
Salah present at Liverpool training
12:15 , Chris WilsonNo apparent tension in this training then, with Salah chatting with and hugging Szoboszlai, who interestingly took his position on the right wing last time out against Leeds.
Arne Slot is watching on and looks fairly jovial, having also had a brief conversation with the group before training started.
In pics: Salah walks out for Liverpool training with Arne Slot all smiles
12:09 , Chris Wilson
Salah present at Liverpool training
12:05 , Chris WilsonThe Liverpool squad are going through their warm-up ahead of getting started, with Salah chatting to Dominik Szoboszlai as it all gets underway.
Salah present at Liverpool training
12:03 , Chris WilsonMo Salah has indeed walked out with the rest of the squad for this afternoon’s training session.
It looks like he’ll be training as usual with the first-team squad.
Liverpool training to come
11:55 , Chris WilsonThere’s plenty of media presence at the Axa Training Centre ahead of training starting in around five minutes.
Mo Salah has arrived at the training ground but it is not known whether he’ll train as usual, though at this point you would imagine so!
Michael Owen blasts Mohamed Salah for going public with Liverpool gripes
11:25 , Chris WilsonMichael Owen has blasted Mohamed Salah for choosing to take his gripes with the Liverpool hierarchy public in an explosive interview on Sunday.
Salah went to the media after being benched for a third consecutive outing in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds on Sunday, claiming to have been thrown “under the bus” by the club and that he doesn’t have a relationship with manager Arne Slot anymore.
The Egyptian has opened the door to an imminent Anfield exit when he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations in January, which would see Liverpool’s third all-time top goalscorer leave the club on sour terms.
Michael Owen blasts Mohamed Salah for going public with Liverpool gripes
A look at Salah's Liverpool career
11:10 , Chris WilsonMo Salah has become a true Liverpool legend since joining the club from AS Roma in 2017, with the Egyptian helping to spearhead a period of huge success alongside figures including Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and of course Jurgen Klopp.
While each figure played a pivotal part in the club’s transformation in different ways, Salah took on the mantle of main goalscorer, having netted 250 times in 420 appearances for the Reds.
These numbers cover four Premier League Golden Boots and two Player of the Season awards, while Salah has also been pivotal in two Premier League titles and the club’s sixth European Cup.
Last season was perhaps his finest in a Liverpool shirt too, as he scored 29 goals and registered 18 assists as he led the Reds to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title.
Every word from Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary rant against Liverpool and Arne Slot
10:55 , Chris WilsonMohamed Salah went on an explosive tirade after Liverpool’s draw with Leeds on Sunday where he took aim at manager Arne Slot and the club’s hierarchy, claiming to have been thrown “under the bus”.
The Egyptian, who has lost his place in the Liverpool team, said he doesn’t have a relationship with Slot any more as he accused the club of breaking their promises to him.
Salah also called out Liverpool legend-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher and lamented how he has been treated differently to fellow Premier League great Harry Kane.
Here’s every word of Salah’s extraordinary rant at Elland Road.
Every word from Salah’s extraordinary rant against Liverpool and Slot
Wayne Rooney claims Mohamed Salah is ‘destroying his legacy at Liverpool’
10:45 , Chris WilsonWayne Rooney has claimed that Mohamed Salah is “destroying his legacy at Liverpool” after the Egyptian made controversial comments during his explosive post-match rant on Saturday.
Speaking after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road, Salah – who was an unused substitute during the draw – claimed that he had beeen thrown “under the bus” by Liverpool and made him a scapegoat.
"I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don't have any relationship,” explained the Liverpool winger.
Wayne Rooney claims Mohamed Salah is ‘destroying his legacy at Liverpool’
Salah arrives at Liverpool training ground
10:35 , Chris WilsonMohamed Salah has arrived at Liverpool’s Axa Training Centre ahead of the club’s 11.45am training session.
According to Sky Sports, Salah also went into the club’s training ground yesterday for a light recovery session after not being involved in the 3-3 draw against Leeds.
The squad is training ahead of making the trip to Milan this afternoon before tomorrow’s game against Inter.
The first 15 minutes of Liverpool’s training session will be open to the media, so we will be able to see if Salah is involved.
Mohamed Salah has arrived at Liverpool's training ground ahead of the trip to Inter Milan in the Champions League 🔴 pic.twitter.com/hg1oUNcctm
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 8, 2025
What Salah said
10:25 , Chris WilsonHere are some of the main excerpts from Salah’s post-match interview:
On the ‘surprise’: “That I'm sitting on the bench for 90 minutes! The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I'm very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season.
“Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club”
On Brighton: “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 the Africa Cup (of Nations). I don't know what is going to happen when I am there.”
On Carragher: “I know the club too well, I have been here many years. Tomorrow (Jamie) Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine.”
Liverpool training to come
10:24 , Chris WilsonThe Reds will be training from around 12pm this afternoon as they prepare for their Champions League match against Inter Milan tomorrow.
We’ll bring you the latest news and some photos of that session as soon as we have them.
Angry Mohamed Salah launches stunning tirade against Arne Slot and Liverpool hierarchy
10:15 , Chris WilsonHere’s a full reminder of what happened with Salah, in a report from The Independent’s Richard Jolly...
Mohamed Salah has claimed Liverpool have thrown him “under the bus” by saying he has been made a scapegoat.
The Egyptian, who has lost his place in the Liverpool team, said he doesn’t have a relationship with manager Arne Slot any more as he accused the club of breaking their promises to him.
And he has cast doubt on his future by saying he will wave goodbye to Liverpool fans against Brighton next week – and that he is not sure what will happen after the African Cup of Nations.
Angry Mohamed Salah launches stunning tirade on Arne Slot and Liverpool hierarchy
How we got here
10:07 , Jamie BraidwoodIt began on Saturday night as Salah was left on the bench as an unused substitute for Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds.
Salah stopped to speak to reporters after full-time and claimed the “the club has thrown me under the bus” and accused someone at Liverpool of “wanting me to get all the blame” for their recent form.
Good morning
10:05 , Jamie BraidwoodThe fallout from Mohamed Salah’s remarkable interview on Saturday night will continue today as Liverpool train and prepare to travel to Milan ahead of their Champions League clash with Inter on Tuesday.
Arne Slot will also address Salah’s comments for the first time since the star forward claimed he had been thrown under the bus and that his relationship with the head coach had broken down.
