Mohamed Salah has delivered the clearest indication yet that his eight-year Liverpool love story could be reaching its final chapter.
Speaking in the tunnel moments after Liverpool’s chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds – a match he again started on the bench – the 33-year-old Egyptian told reporters he has asked his parents to fly in from Egypt for next Saturday’s home game against Brighton.
The Egyptian has had to warm the bench in Liverpool’s last three league games (Man Utd, Fulham, Leeds): All but one started on the bench – the first time in his Liverpool career he has been dropped for three consecutive domestic matches.
‘I could not believe I was sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,’ he said. ‘That’s the third time. It’s the first time in my career I think.
‘(I am) very disappointed, I have done so much for this club over the years, especially last season. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel.
‘Someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me a lot in summer. Now I’m on bench so I can say they haven’t kept those promises.
The reason? It could be the last time they – and the Anfield crowd – see him in a Liverpool shirt.
Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal have both maintained long-standing interest, with packages believed to exceed £150m across salary and signing-on fees for an 18-month deal.
Salah has always insisted money is not his primary motivation, but the public breakdown in trust with Liverpool has dramatically shifted the landscape.