Jamie Carragher has issued a passionate plea to Mohamed Salah, urging the Liverpool icon to shelve thoughts of a January exit to Saudi Arabia and ensure his Anfield career does not end in bitterness.
The 33-year-old’s future has dominated the headlines since his explosive "thrown under the bus" interview following the 3-3 draw with Leeds United in December. With Salah currently away on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, speculation is mounting that he has played his final game for the Reds, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal preparing monumental bids to bring him to the Pro League immediately.
However, Carragher believes leaving mid-season would be a tragic mistake. Speaking on Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool defender warned Salah that watching his teammates potentially reach a Champions League final without him would be a source of lifelong regret.
"Don't Go Now": The Carragher Verdict
The relationship between Salah and manager Arne Slot appears fractured, with the forward benched for three consecutive games prior to his departure for Morocco. Despite this, Carragher insists Salah owes it to himself to repair the bridge for four more months.
"I don't see Mo Salah playing for Liverpool next season," Carragher admitted, acknowledging that the end is near. "But if he is thinking about moving on now, I would urge him to think again."
"He deserves a guard of honour. He deserves a mosaic in the Kop. He deserves to bring his wife and kids onto the pitch in his last game and actually celebrate what he has done as a Liverpool player. If he was sat in Saudi Arabia, watching Liverpool walk out in Budapest for the Champions League final, I think he'd really regret it."
The Saudi Threat
The threat from the Middle East is genuine. Having had a £150m bid rejected in 2023, Saudi dealmakers view this window as their golden opportunity. With Salah’s relationship with Slot at an all-time low, the financial package on offer—reportedly making him the highest-paid athlete on earth—could tempt Liverpool’s owners to cash in rather than facing a toxic six months.
Check the latest market movements on the Mohamed Salah transfer odds to see if the bookmakers believe he will stay or go.
Slot's Dilemma
For Arne Slot, the situation is a headache that refuses to clear. The Dutchman has tried to maintain authority by dropping his star man, but Liverpool’s form has stuttered without Salah’s guaranteed output. The "long goodbye" that Carragher predicts would require a truce between player and manager—something that currently looks unlikely.
If Salah does leave, the pressure on Slot will be immense to secure a replacement. You can track the volatility of the manager's position on the next Liverpool manager odds page.
What Happens Next?
Salah is not expected to return to Merseyside until early February, depending on Egypt’s progress at AFCON. This leaves Liverpool in a precarious position: negotiate a sale remotely and find a replacement in January, or hold onto an unhappy superstar hoping for a reconciliation. Carragher’s message is clear, but whether Salah is listening remains to be seen.