Episode Overview
Podcast: The Athletic FC Podcast
Episode Title: Will Salah play for Liverpool again?
Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Panel: Simon Hughes, Adam Crafton, Oli Kay
The episode centers on Mohamed Salah’s explosive public comments after being benched for the third straight Liverpool match, his claims of broken promises and a fractured relationship with new manager Arne Slot, and what this turmoil means for the player, the manager, and Liverpool’s future. The panel explores whether Salah’s time at the club is coming to an end, the role of club leadership, parallels to past superstar exits, and likely next steps.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Salah’s Outburst and Its Significance
[01:39–03:15]
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Salah’s Comments:
The Egyptian forward, after being benched again following Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds, accused the club of “throwing [him] under the bus” and breaking promises.- Salah (recorded):
"Seems like a club throw me under the bus. That's how I felt... I think it's very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me in the summer... I'm on the bench three games..." — [02:19]
- Salah (recorded):
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Simon Hughes Reaction:
"It's extraordinary in the sense of the revelations... the talk of broken relationship with the manager being thrown under the bus by the club. Broken promises... These are big claims and it lays naked the state of affairs at Liverpool and how vulnerable the club is at the moment." — Simon Hughes [03:15]
Simon emphasizes this is dramatic but in keeping with Salah's pattern: he goes public only when feeling particularly aggrieved, usually about himself. Historically, Liverpool kept such issues internal—a sign the club is currently on the back foot.
Is Salah’s Outcry Justified?
[04:41–08:03]
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Adam Crafton:
"It's very reminiscent of what we've seen over the years from people like Ronaldo and Messi when they don't get the attention that they want as they get older... But if you bench your best paid and most celebrated player three times in a week, it's naive not to expect a reaction." — Adam Crafton [04:51]
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Oli Kay:
"I have little doubt that he left that dressing room intending to say his piece. He doesn't speak often but when he does, it's calculated." — Oli Kay [06:11]
Kay notes Salah went from untouchable to being scapegoated rapidly, and despite others outperforming him (Ekitike, Gakpo), he’s earned the expectation of special treatment.
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Simon Hughes:
The panel agrees Salah’s status warrants a reaction, but also criticizes the public nature and timing of his complaints, suggesting nobody wins in such scenarios:"On some issues yes, but on others, no... What is different obviously is that this is now playing out in public... On this occasion Salah has come out and actually told us something we don't know and a lot of people don't like it..." — Simon Hughes [08:03]
The Management Dilemma & Impact on Arne Slot
[17:17–20:19]
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Oli Kay:
"It puts [Slot] in an extremely difficult situation, not least because of Salah's enormous popularity with the fan base and the fact that Slot's position has already been weakened by a poor run of results. When a player of Salah's stature says there is no relationship, it's very difficult." — Oli Kay [17:30]
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Possible Best Outcomes:
- Consensus: A break during AFCON may cool tempers, and a return to form post-AFCON is the most positive likely outcome for all parties.
- Anything else—especially forced exits—risks destabilizing both Slot and the club.
Club Dynamics and Ownership Decisions
[22:19–28:51]
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Who is responsible?
Discussion centers on whether the “someone” Salah blames is Slot alone, or club executives higher up—suggesting lingering unease between Salah and Liverpool's hierarchy through multiple contract cycles. -
New Club Leadership:
- Kay and Crafton reflect on the “smartest man in the room” approach of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, likening it to the overconfidence and eventual fallout seen at Manchester United with Ronaldo.
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Adam Crafton:
"They've had so many wins over the years in the transfer market... I wonder whether they just have this feeling they're always going to get it right... but at some point you won't." — Adam Crafton [28:01]
Salah’s Immediate and Long-Term Future
[30:40–38:23]
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AFCON and National Team Pressure:
- Salah’s time with Egypt will be no respite—he’ll face immense expectation to deliver, as Egypt prizes AFCON titles and he’s never won it.
"There will be a huge pressure on him there also ahead of the World Cup... that relationship between himself and the national team has not always been easy." — Adam Crafton [30:56]
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Speculation on Transfers and Repair:
- The panel sees big departures as unlikely right now, noting the lingering possibility of a Saudi move but also Salah’s continuing belief in his top-level status.
"I genuinely think we're quite far away from [a move]. We're still in the footballer stomping his feet because he wants to play more football phase." — Adam Crafton [35:16]
- They warn of the dangers of player power shaping managerial decisions, referencing the peril this could pose to Liverpool's stability if not handled delicately.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Salah’s explosive opener:
"Seems like a club throw me under the bus. That's how I felt... someone wants me to get all the blame." — Mo Salah [02:19]
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Simon Hughes on Liverpool’s internal crisis:
"It lays naked the state of affairs at Liverpool and how disjointed things are... This is a club... that has been credited over a long period of time of being ahead of things. And it feels like Liverpool are on the back foot at the moment." — Simon Hughes [03:15]
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Adam Crafton on Salah’s media strategy:
"To me, it seemed more like, I'm grumpy, I'm not playing, I want the world to know this, I want to be playing again... Salah seems like someone who talks publicly when he wants something..." — Adam Crafton [11:00]
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Oli Kay on Slot’s challenge:
"I can't see a good outcome for Slot in this situation where a player of Salah's stature has come out and basically said they don't have a relationship. It's very difficult." — Oli Kay [17:30]
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Panel consensus on future:
- Kay:
"I'll say yes [he plays for Liverpool again]. The murmurs out of the club... it's not being described as a punishment... There will be peace talks. No one's saying Salah's bridge is burnt." — [34:12]
- Hughes:
"Yesterday I was finding it hard to see a way back... The messages out of Liverpool this morning seem like the situation's under a bit more control." — Simon Hughes [41:26]
- Kay:
Important Segment Timestamps
- [02:19] — Salah’s post-match outburst, first-person audio.
- [03:15] — Panelists react to Salah’s comments, context on club-player relations.
- [04:51] — Adam Crafton compares Salah’s reaction to Ronaldo and Messi’s aging-star frustrations.
- [06:11] — Oli Kay: Salah’s statements were premeditated and calculated.
- [08:03] — Simon Hughes on the pros and cons of Salah’s honesty for club and press.
- [17:30] — Oli Kay: The effect of Salah’s comments on Slot’s already fragile position.
- [20:24] — Hughes: Salah's independence, history of internal conflicts, and implications.
- [22:35] — Discussion on responsibility within club leadership — execs or the manager?
- [30:56] — Adam Crafton: Will AFCON be respite or added pressure for Salah?
- [34:12] — Quickfire: Will Salah play for Liverpool again? (Panel predictions)
Conclusion: What Now for Salah & Liverpool?
The episode concludes with reserved optimism that, at least in the short term, Salah will play again for Liverpool, though the relationship with the club and his manager needs careful repair. The panel stresses how management of this crisis will define not just the remainder of Liverpool's season but potentially set a precedent for player power and club leadership.
Final Panel Words:
- Oli Kay: Predicts Salah will play again, citing the club’s diplomatic signals. [34:12]
- Adam Crafton: Sees the situation as “footballer stomping his feet,” not quite terminal yet. [35:16]
- Simon Hughes: Remains cautious, suggesting much depends on Salah’s response to his fourth consecutive omission. [41:26]
This episode provides a frank, insider’s view of a superstar’s standoff with one of football’s biggest clubs, and why what happens next will matter far beyond Anfield.