Mohamed Salah’s public criticism of Liverpool and manager Arne Slot led to a swift reaction from the coach, who stressed that politeness should not be mistaken for weakness. The 33-year-old forward had said he was being “thrown under the bus” for Liverpool’s poor run of form and claimed he has “no relationship” with Slot. Less than 48 hours later, Salah was left out of Liverpool’s squad to face Inter in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Slot, 47 years old, spent more than 10 minutes answering questions at his pre-game news conference on Monday and outlined how the club had communicated with the player. “We know he is not travelling with us, so that was the only communication that’s been there from us to him. Before Saturday, the two of us have spoken a lot, sometimes longer and sometimes shorter,” he said. “That’s not the way I feel but he has the right to feel how he feels things. I haven’t felt that at all until Saturday evening for sure.

“Usually I am calm and polite but it doesn’t mean I’m weak. When a player says things like that we have to react as a club. And you can see he is not here.”

Slot acknowledged surprise at Salah’s remarks given the forward’s behaviour in recent weeks. “When I didn’t play him anymore, usually players don’t like the manager that much, but he was very respectful to the staff members and to his teammates and he trained really hard so it was a bit of a surprise when I heard he made those comments,” he said. “But it’s not the first time a player hasn’t played. My reaction to that is also clear and that’s why he isn’t here.”

Even with the fallout, Slot left the door open for reconciliation. “I’m a firm believer that there is always a return for a player.” he stated. The manager declined to say whether Salah would be available for the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday, the player’s last possible appearance before joining Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations. The comments come amid a difficult run for the defending English champions, who have won just two of their last 10 games in the English top-flight.

Major League Soccer clubs have registered what one report calls “strong interest” in Mohamed Salah following uncertainty over his future at Liverpool. The forward, 33, remains under contract with Liverpool until 2027, but recent reporting places Saudi duo Al Hilal and Al Ittihad as early frontrunners in any move away from England.

If Salah seeks an exit from Liverpool, several MLS sides are said to be potential suitors. Given his status as a global superstar and one of the top earners in the game, only a small number of MLS clubs could realistically contemplate his signing.

Inter Miami have drawn immediate attention because they are the reigning MLS Cup winners after triumphing over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The club already has Lionel Messi as its headline Designated Player and is allocating one of the remaining DP slots to Rodrigo De Paul. The report states Miami are not expected to make a play for Salah.

Chicago Fire are identified as a plausible bidder. The Fire attempted to sign Salah in April, before he signed his current Liverpool contract, and are likely to consider another approach. Chicago’s recruitment of high-profile names in the past is noted; Bastian Schweinsteiger previously had a spell at the club, and offers have also been made to other global stars who chose different paths, with Kevin De Bruyne and Neymar among names reportedly offered deals.

An alternative option highlighted is 2025 expansion side San Diego FC, owned by British-Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour. Mansour has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to support the club. San Diego finished first in the Western Conference in 2025, ahead of eventual MLS Cup runner-up Vancouver, and the ownership may see Salah as a vehicle to elevate the club’s profile further.

All developments remain speculative and tied to Salah’s contract situation at Liverpool through 2027.

Mohamed Salah signed a two-year deal in April that keeps him at Liverpool until 2027 and reportedly pays him upwards of £350,000 ($467,000) per week. The agreement did not end a fraught period for the forward.

Months after the contract was completed, following a win at Southampton, he admitted he was “disappointed” not to have been offered a new deal and was “probably more out than in”. Salah also acknowledged he came close to leaving. That unease has returned amid Liverpool’s difficult start to the 2025–26 season.

After being benched in a 3–3 draw with Leeds in early December, the 33-year-old said he had been “thrown under the bus” and that he had “no relationship” with manager Arne Slot. Those comments have reopened speculation over where Salah could finish his career.

Paris Saint-Germain: Before signing his most recent Liverpool contract, Salah was, according to L’Equipe, open to a move to Paris and engaged in talks with the French champions. PSG had an urgent need after Kylian Mbappé left for Real Madrid, but their squad delivered a quadruple in 2024–25, capped by a Champions League triumph, and Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or. With wide options such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué and academy names like Ibrahim Mbaye, Quentin Ndjantou and Senny Maluyu, PSG are rated as unlikely. Likelihood Rating: 1/10.

MLS (San Diego FC): San Diego FC impressed in their inaugural MLS season, topping their half of the division and reaching the Western Conference finals. Links to owner Mohamed Mansour have been noted, though they remain tenuous. Likelihood Rating: 4/10.

Galatasaray: The Turkish club has a history of attracting stars and could provide a passionate stage for Salah, but questions remain over transfer fees and wage demands. Likelihood Rating: 7/10.

Al Hilal: The Saudi side, boasting former Premier League players and Darwin Núñez among its ranks, has been strongly linked following Salah’s remarks. For Salah it could be a lucrative final chapter; for the club it would be a major signing. Likelihood Rating: 8/10.