Paul Merson believes that there’s only one circumstance in which Mo Salah will feature for Liverpool in their Premier League clash against Brighton on Saturday.
It’ll be the Reds’ first fixture at Anfield since the Egyptian winger vented his frustrations in public last weekend, having evidently been scorned at being dropped to the bench for three consecutive matches. It’s also the final one before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next week.
Much has been said and written about the 33-year-old’s explosive outburst in recent days, although Arne Slot did his best to try and quell the flames by saying at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning that he’ll speak to the player today, with that conversation potentially determining whether or not our number 11 plays against the Seagulls.
Merson doubtful over Salah involvement on Saturday
In his weekly Premier League predictions column for Sportskeeda (published before Slot spoke to the media), Merson defended Salah over his annoyance at being benched, but claimed that the Egyptian is only likely to feature tomorrow if Liverpool are planning for him to leave the club next month.
The Sky Sports pundit wrote: ‘Will the game against Brighton be the final time we see Mohamed Salah in a Liverpool shirt? I think it all depends on what has happened behind the scenes.
‘If Liverpool think Salah will be gone in January, they will give him five minutes against Brighton to say goodbye to the fans at Anfield. If they are not keen on selling him, I doubt he will get a start on Saturday.’
Salah reconciliation seems more likely than a January exit
Merson’s words could send a chill up the spines of LFC supporters – it’s incomprehensible to try and wrap our heads around the notion that tomorrow’s match could conceivably be the last time that one of our greatest-ever players lines out for the club.
However, there’s a couple of reason why we don’t think that frightening scenario is quite so imminent. Firstly, Slot’s public assurance that he planned on speaking to Salah today would appear to open the door to the possibility of a swift reconciliation.
Also, as reported by The Athletic this week, Liverpool are adamant that they don’t want to sell the 33-year-old in the wake of his recent public remarks and are waiting for the player to communicate his intentions to club chiefs.
If Slot doesn’t want to risk the sideshow of the Egyptian’s presence having a destabilising effect tomorrow, we imagine that he won’t consider him for selection and will wait until after AFCON to reintegrate him into the side.
However, if the pair have a constructive discussion today which clears the way for the winger to return against Brighton, his renewed availability should only help the Reds, particuarly with Cody Gakpo sidelined and Alexander Isak an injury doubt.
All eyes will be on the team sheet when it’s published at 1:45pm on Saturday, 75 minutes before kick-off.
You can watch Slot’s full post-Inter Milan press conference below, via Empire of the Kop on YouTube:
Yes sounds logical. The meeting today must be constructive for everything to fall into place.
Shame this website didn’t print the article by Paul merson on Salah.
This is what merse said, I’m with Salah, Liverpool would have won nothing without him. I’m on Salah’s side, he’s gotten too much stick.
Maybe he shouldn’t have done what he did, but he’s a human being . He’s a winner, and a legend.
The figures he’s put on the wing. Goals and assists are off the chart. We’ll never see that again in my opinion
All he’s done is to say he wants to play football. He’s got the hump because he’s not playing, how can you be slaughtered for saying that.
There are others in the team who could have been dropped, and he’s probably thinking , were not very good and I’m not playing. I just think it’s wrong.
Liverpool wouldn’t have won anything if it wasn’t for mo Salah, you take away his goals and assists and don’t think you see any trophies in the cabinet for a while.
I don’t believe, that because you’ve won things before you should be in the team, BUT HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO’S BEEN PLAYING POORLY.
Salah can score from anywhere. He’s the best worst player.
I don’t often agree with merson but I thought it was a good article from him. Especially when he said he’s the worst best player.
You watch him sometimes and he gives the ball away, he has a quiet game, then out of nowhere he scores a fabulous goal. You don’t score 250 goals and make 100 assists and become a bad player overnight.
Play him up front with wirtz behind, and play four midfielders. You don’t need the two up top to track back. The four in midfield provide the protection for the defence, the full backs give the width. It’s our best team with the players we have, with the right balance between attack and defence.
Salah has made one mistake and he’s been slaughtered, especially from Jamie carragher. I know one thing, when Salah goes we will miss him. Try finding another wide player who will get 250 goals.