Just weeks after Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot and brought in Andoni Iraola, a flicker of hope emerged among fans who dared to imagine Mohamed Salah staying beyond this summer. But according to multiple reports, that hope is misplaced.
The Egyptian superstar announced his intention to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, a year before his contract actually expires. The decision, described as mutual, came after a 2025–26 campaign that saw Salah’s form dip and his relationship with Slot sour. Now that Slot is gone, some wondered whether a reversal was possible.
Is a U-Turn Possible?
Egyptian goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy fanned those flames this week, telling ON Time Sports that “things could change.” He claimed Salah told him he “doesn’t know anything about his future yet” and that the uncertainty over leaving has affected the 33-year-old psychologically.
But Ben Jacobs, a journalist close to the situation, has pushed back hard. According to Jacobs, Liverpool has “no plans” to keep Salah next season. The club’s front office, he says, is sticking with the original exit timeline — a departure that Salah himself agreed to.
That leaves the club’s all-time leading scorer in recent years heading for the exit door, with Saudi Pro League clubs and Turkish Süper Lig side Fenerbahce circling. Fenerbahce’s new president, Aziz Yildirim, claimed he could bring Salah to Istanbul, and director of football Ertan Torunogullari said “positive talks” have been held with Salah’s camp.
Why This Matters for Liverpool
Losing a player of Salah’s caliber — even one approaching his mid-30s — is a massive moment for Liverpool. He has been the engine of the attack since arriving from Roma in 2017, scoring over 200 goals and winning every major trophy available at club level. His departure would leave a gap that Iraola will have to fill this summer, likely through a high-profile signing.
For Salah, the next move could define the final chapter of his career. Saudi Arabia offers enormous wages and a league eager for star power. Turkey, meanwhile, offers European football and a passionate fanbase. Either way, the narrative that a coaching change might persuade him to stay appears to be just that — a narrative.
Fans online have noted the irony: Liverpool changed managers to fix on-field problems, but the one player who might have benefited from a fresh start is already out the door. The team has not confirmed any further talks with Salah’s representatives, and no formal offer to reverse course has been made.
As the summer window heats up, expect Fenerbahce and Saudi clubs to make their pitches official. But unless something drastic shifts — and according to those close to the club, nothing has — Salah’s nine-year run at Anfield is over.
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