File Photo: Egypt’s striker #10 Mohamed Salah and Botswana’s #3 Thatayone Ditlhokwe fights for the ball during the football match between Botswana and Egypt at Francistown Stadium in Francistown. AFP
Mohamed Salah has joined up with Egypt’s national team after tensions at Liverpool eased, at least temporarily, following a public dispute with the club’s management and coach Arne Slot.
Earlier this month, the forward criticised Liverpool officials and Slot after being left on the bench for a third consecutive match, against Leeds, an unprecedented situation since his arrival at Anfield in June 2017. The comments divided opinion in England and reignited speculation over his future after eight trophy-laden seasons marked by records and iconic status.
On 13 December, after talks with Slot, Salah was restored to the squad. Introduced as a substitute in the 26th minute against Brighton, he set up French striker Hugo Ekitike in a 2-0 win that lifted Liverpool to sixth in the Premier League.
The assist also took Salah past Wayne Rooney, one of his most vocal critics during the episode, making him the player with the most goal contributions for a single club in Premier League history, with 277 (188 goals and 89 assists).
“There are no issues to resolve. What was said between us stays between us,” Slot told reporters. “Mo will now play in the Africa Cup of Nations. I hope he has a good tournament. In the meantime, we have to play without him, with a reduced squad.”
Salah now turns his focus to the Africa Cup of Nations, where this fifth appearance could prove pivotal in his career. After a mixed first half of the club season, the Egypt captain will look to reaffirm his leadership as the Pharaohs chase an eighth continental title in Morocco.
He has scored four goals and provided three assists in 14 matches this season, respectable figures, though modest by the standards of a player who has finished as the Premier League’s top scorer three times.
For Egypt, Salah’s influence extends beyond the captain’s armband. Coach Hossam Hassan has been explicit about his reliance on the forward.
“I always consult him,” Hassan said. “Salah is like a coach on the pitch; he helps me organise the players during the match.”
Hassan, preparing for his first AFCON as head coach, is placing heavy emphasis on Salah’s ability to rebound and drive Egypt to success, with World Cup qualifiers looming later in the year.
An AFCON for the present and the future
Already a national icon, Salah is still missing a major African title to secure his place among the continent’s all-time greats. Now 33, he has twice finished runner-up, losing finals to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2021. At the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast, he played only two matches before a muscle injury forced him to withdraw.
Individually, Salah is his generation’s leading AFCON scorer with seven goals in 19 appearances, though he trails Egypt’s all-time tournament marksmen Hassan Al-Shazli (12 goals) and Hossam Hassan (11).
Beyond the immediate challenge, the tournament may also shape his club future. Asked about Salah’s role after AFCON, Slot said: “Yes, he’s a Liverpool player, and as long as he’s here, I like to use him when we need him.”
Liverpool broke with their wage structure in 2022 to offer Salah a record contract reportedly worth around £400,000 per week, underlining his status at the club. But interest from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer has persisted, and a strong tournament could revive speculation should relations at Anfield sour again.
After the Brighton match, Salah lingered on the pitch, applauding supporters chanting his name, a moment that felt either like reassurance, or something closer to farewell.
* A version of this article has been published in Al Ahram Hebdo in French.
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