The Athletic FC Podcast · March 25, 2026 · 35 min

What does Salah’s exit mean for Liverpool?

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Mo Salah transfer

Mo Salah confirmed on Instagram this would be his last season at Anfield. It's more a seismic end to an era than a seismic shock that he's going.

David Ornstein

Information coming from Anfield suggests that this was Mo Salah's call, that he instigated this.

David Ornstein

Executive departures

There are suggestions in football that Al-Hilal want Michael Edwards as well as [Richard Hughes]—almost a double team.

Oli K

Transfer window

Liverpool aren't going to be getting a transfer fee for him; they will save on his salary. It's recognition of his service that they've waived any chance of a transfer fee.

David Ornstein

Transfer rumors

The interest from Saudi Arabia has been there all along and is not likely to go away. Al-Ittihad... have always been regarded as the Saudi club best positioned to go for him again.

David Ornstein

I believe Rami Abbas [Salah's agent]; I don't think there is a defined destination. Maybe Mo Salah is just comfortable with that now—go to the World Cup with Egypt, see how your form is, see what options arise.

Oli K

Manager status

All our information, despite reports to the contrary, is that Liverpool are sticking with Arne Slot. There's no thought to changing coach.

David Ornstein

Player form

I think everybody else has struggled, and I think Salah is the one who struggled most. He looks a completely different player this season for all those factors—loss of confidence, loss of sharpness, and the passing of time.

Oli K

Transfer targets

They like [Assane] Diao at RB Leipzig. That's a player that they've been keen on for some time. I really like [Antoine] Semenyo at Bournemouth... it would seem to be the sort of fit that Liverpool would go for.

David Ornstein

Player legacy

Whenever you went in the world and said you were from Liverpool, it used to be the Beatles they wanted to talk about; now and more recently, it's been Mo Salah.

John Gibbons