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