Mohamed Salah was among the first to leave the dressing room following Liverpool’s victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Approached for a chat, the Egypt forward declined politely, offering a smile before boarding the team bus. There was little to explain while he remained in the starting line-up.
Mohamed Salah was among the first to leave the dressing room following Liverpool’s victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Approached for a chat, the Egypt forward declined politely, offering a smile before boarding the team bus. There was little to explain while he remained in the starting line-up.
It has been more than two months since his outspoken interview after the draw at Leeds United, when he said he felt the club had “thrown him under the bus” after being omitted from the starting XI for a third consecutive match. The remarks created headlines, but in some ways they had the desired impact.
Those close to the matter suggested a social media statement had been considered. However, Salah’s frustration at the time led him to speak directly in the mixed zone instead. “I don't know why, but it seems to me that someone doesn't want me in the club,” he said at Elland Road.
Soon after, he apologised to his teammates and shook hands with head coach Arne Slot, who insisted there was no lingering problem. Salah then departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, where members of Egypt’s camp described him as happier than ever, calling it the best camp of his career.
Since returning from Afcon in January, the 33-year-old has started every match for Liverpool. Earlier in the season, Slot had left him out of five straight games, but injury concerns within the squad and his own performances have ensured regular inclusion.
In eight appearances since his return, Salah has contributed two goals and four assists. After the FA Cup win over Brighton, in which he provided a goal and an assist, Slot publicly praised his defensive contribution and work rate without the ball.
Even so, the most striking statistic lies elsewhere. His last Premier League goal came in November. If he fails to score against West Ham at Anfield, it would mark ten top-flight games without finding the net — the longest such run of his league career.
By his own lofty standards, the decline has been noticeable. He is averaging 0.56 goals and assists per league game this term compared with 1.25 last season, when he topped the charts for both goals and assists. His shot volume, touches inside the opposition area and expected goals per 90 minutes have all dropped significantly.
Yet his overall numbers remain competitive. With 10 league goal involvements, he has more than Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka, and only Hugo Ekitike has recorded more for Liverpool. Slot has stressed that short dry spells have happened before and that Salah typically responds.
Liverpool remain in the FA Cup and Champions League, and their prospects of securing silverware and Champions League qualification are stronger with Salah involved. His teammate Milos Kerkez recently shared an image of Salah’s trophy collection, prompting light-hearted comments online about his accumulation of individual awards.
His standing in club and Premier League history is unquestioned. Salah has amassed 283 goal involvements in the top flight and has scored 252 goals for Liverpool, placing him behind Roger Hunt (285) and Ian Rush (346) on the club’s all-time scoring list. Should he stay until the end of his contract in 2027, he could surpass Hunt.
However, a departure this summer appears increasingly possible. Any move would depend on firm interest and whether his salary expectations are met. Saudi Arabia and the United States have been mentioned as potential destinations, and Liverpool are reluctant to risk losing him for nothing when his deal expires.
Despite speculation, Salah and his family are settled in the northwest and appreciate life in Britain. For now, he remains content to be back in the starting XI and smiling once more. If these are his final months at Anfield, he will aim to conclude his time there with another significant achievement added to an already remarkable career.
