Mo Salah urged to quit Liverpool this summer as pundits and ex-players weigh up a transfer exit
Recent coverage has intensified around the future of mo salah after a season of public disputes, benching and renewed transfer speculation. Former players and pundits have suggested a summer departure could be best for all parties, while other commentators have changed their predictions about where the winger might end up.
Mo Salah urged to quit Liverpool this summer
Rafael van der Vaart has suggested that a summer exit for Mohamed Salah would benefit both player and club. Van der Vaart argued that the winger has lost a degree of pace and that having a big-name player can create tension between coach and squad when expectations are not met. He said a coach has the right to put a player on the bench, but noted benching a star like Salah can cause a major issue in every press conference and with public attention. Van der Vaart concluded that it could be best for both sides if Salah leaves in the summer.
Bench row, apology and on-field return
Salah was at the center of a public dispute after being placed on the substitutes' bench under manager Arne Slot in December. That situation prompted criticism from the forward and a suggestion of a potential January exit. He was omitted from the squad for the Champions League triumph over Inter Milan, then later returned to action in a 2-0 win against Brighton following direct discussions with Slot. Prior to joining Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations squad, the forward issued an apology to his teammates. The sequence of benching, omission, direct talks, on-field return and apology are all part of the present context surrounding his near-term future.
Contract status and transfer speculation: contradictions and named suitors
There is conflicting material in the present coverage about Salah's contract. One item states he is entering the final year of his Liverpool deal, while another specifies his current contract runs to June 2027; this is unclear in the provided context. Regardless of the contract detail, Saudi Pro League sides remain linked with interest in the winger, and a report referenced talks between Al-Ittihad and the Egyptian over a possible transfer to Jeddah. These developments have fed debate about whether the summer window will mark the end of his time at Anfield.
Richard Keys amends prediction: Italy over Saudi?
Richard Keys has moved his public prediction about Salah's destination, stating he now believes the player will leave Liverpool at the end of the season but not for the Saudi Pro League. Keys suggested the "smart money" is on a move to Italy, pointing to the possibility of a late-career spell in Serie A. He also noted that he previously thought a move to Major League Soccer was likeliest, illustrating how public views on Salah's destination have shifted in recent weeks.
Broader Liverpool context and transfer-window implications
Liverpool will already be plotting for next season, with the team targeting a Champions League spot as it approaches the final stages of the campaign. The season has been described as inconsistent following striking transfer business last year; several key signings are expected to progress in their second campaign, but there remains work to be completed across the squad. Van der Vaart emphasized faith in Arne Slot's ability to turn things around and urged patience, warning that spending large sums gives no guarantee of instant improvement and pointing out that past Liverpool success often involved late goals and a degree of luck — luck that has not been on the side of the team in the current phase.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit and transfer regret noted
Recent commentary also referenced Trent Alexander-Arnold, who quit Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer and has since experienced problems this campaign, with fitness concerns and squad competition restricting his playing opportunities. His reflections upon leaving Liverpool suggested regret about how fans would view his transfer, a perspective that has been highlighted in the wider discussion about player departures and their aftermath.
What comes next for mo salah and Liverpool
Predictions vary widely: some voices believe a summer exit would be mutually beneficial, others suggest a move to Italy is likeliest, and there remains persistent interest from Saudi teams and named contact from Al-Ittihad. Comments about his current form, age and importance to the club feed into these views, while the club's broader planning for a Champions League push and squad development provides the backdrop. The situation is evolving and the coming months — and the summer transfer window — will determine whether Salah stays for another season or departs Anfield.