Liverpool and Mohamed Salah have reportedly reached a critical "compromise" regarding the Egyptian’s future, with a "gentleman's agreement" now in place to facilitate his departure to the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2026.
The development comes amid fresh confirmation from reliable journalist James Pearce that the friction between the player and head coach Arne Slot is far from resolved. According to reports cited by Football365, despite Slot’s public insistence that it is "business as usual," the reality behind the scenes is significantly more fractured.
Pearce Confirms the "Issue"
Speaking on the Walk On podcast, Pearce—widely regarding as the most authoritative voice on Liverpool matters—challenged Slot's assessment of the situation. "I'm not quite kind of along with that," Pearce stated, referring to the manager's claim that there was no issue to resolve. He confirmed that Salah’s frustration at being used as a substitute is genuine and that the 33-year-old simply "can't handle" a reduced role.
This aligns with the forward’s recent comments about being "thrown under the bus" after being benched for three of the last four Premier League games. While Salah has now departed for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the underlying tension remains a "big problem" that sporting director Richard Hughes must manage upon his return.
The "Gentleman's Agreement" Revealed
The solution to this standoff appears to lie in a verbal understanding reached during contract negotiations earlier this year. Transfer reporter Steve Kay has shed light on the specifics of this "compromise."
It is understood that Salah originally demanded a three-year contract extension in April 2025. Liverpool, wary of his age, refused to go beyond two years. The middle ground—and the "gentleman's agreement" in question—was that Salah would sign the two-year deal (keeping him until 2027) on the strict condition that he would be allowed to leave in the summer of 2026, effectively cutting the term short by 12 months.
"That was the compromise," reports state. This arrangement allows Liverpool to retain their talisman for one final title push under Slot while guaranteeing Salah his lucrative final payday in the Middle East without a protracted transfer saga.
Saudi Arabia Awaits
With this agreement in place, a January exit now looks unlikely unless the relationship with Slot becomes completely untenable during the winter. Instead, the path is cleared for a blockbuster move at the end of the season.
Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad remain the primary suitors, ready to offer a package that dwarfs even his current Anfield terms. For Liverpool, the focus now shifts to succession planning. With the "gentleman's agreement" effectively serving as a resignation letter dated for June, the club can accelerate their pursuit of long-term targets like Antoine Semenyo or Nico Williams, knowing exactly when the King's reign will end.
What Happens Next?
Salah will spend the next month in Morocco leading Egypt's quest for AFCON glory, providing a welcome "cooling off" period for tensions on Merseyside. However, when he returns in February, Arne Slot faces a delicate management task: getting the best out of a superstar who knows his exit route is already mapped out and signed off with a handshake.