Cover image by Heute licensed under CC-BY-4.0
Liverpool’s demoralising 3-0 defeat at Manchester City was the latest setback in what is proving to be a miserable defence of the Premier League title.
While the dazzling display from Jeremy Doku and the ruling out of Virgil van Dijk’s headed equaliser stole the headlines in this game, one of the primary reasons behind the Reds’ demise is Mohamed Salah’s shocking loss of form. The Egyptian forward has looked a shadow of his former self, particularly when it comes to pressing the ball and providing covering for defenders.
Salah’s form begs the question of whether it is time for Liverpool to move on from him. If he is on the decline, then the club must make a difficult choice next summer.
His pace and dynamism seem not to be what they once were, as evidenced by his struggle to get past Manchester City’s young full-back Nico O’Reilly at the Etihad Stadium. Lacklustre outings are becoming a theme for Salah, and he seems to be incapable of bucking the trend. Has time caught up with the 33-year-old?
The general state of the team is poor, but Salah sticks out like a sore thumb, especially when compared with players like Doku and Foden who are on top of their games. Given their ambitions, Liverpool cannot afford to carry passengers.
For a player who has given the club so many great memories, Salah’s apparent fall from grace is sad to watch, but Arne Slot must put sentiment and loyalty to one side if results are being impacted. However, the resurgence of City’s Bernardo Silva this season provides a counterpoint: class, unlike form, is permanent.
If Liverpool do decide to part ways with their iconic golascorer, next summer could be the ideal opportunity. Selling him to a Saudi Pro League (SPL) club would allow them to recoup a sizeable fee. Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal, who are all backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), could afford to make lucrative offers to Salah. In turn, Salah would bring more prestige to the league and boost its profile in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where he is an icon.
The SPL is on a mission to bolster its global profile, and the addition of Salah would significantly strengthen its brand. Stadiums would be packed with young fans eager to watch him play. Besides the sporting aspect, Salah would provide massive commercial benefits for the club which signs him. He has recorded some of the highest merchandise sales in England over the past few seasons and would trigger a commercial frenzy in the Middle East.
While his form in the Premier League has nosedived, he would be a big-hitter in the calmer waters of the SPL. He would be one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot.
Reputable bookmakers such as YYY Sport already boast a sizeable database of Arab customers. They would be inundated with new bettors if Salah moves to the SPL. Punters would be desperate to back Salah to be the top scorer, and they would get generous odds given that he would be competing with Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo for the prize.
It would be difficult to bet against Salah in the SPL. Teams would struggle to contain his movement. His underrated playmaking ability is another weapon defenders must be ready for. Beyond the goals and commercial appeal, the SPL is undoubtedly the perfect final chapter for Salah’s glittering career. The tempo is less demanding than the Premier League, allowing him to preserve his legs and extend his playing days. He could still produce moments of brilliance but in an environment that values spectacle and star power over relentless intensity. Ultimately, he would be a big fish in a small pond.
Culturally and geographically, Saudi Arabia also offers a sense of familiarity and closeness to home, something that may appeal to Salah at this stage of his career. Off the pitch, his presence would inspire a new generation of young Arab players, giving him the platform to shape the region’s footballing identity. For a player who has carried the dreams of millions of people, ending his career in a league on the rise, while remaining a symbol of Arab excellence, feels like it could be a fitting and poetic conclusion.
What do you think? Is there Premier League life in the old dog yet, or should Liverpool allow Salah to bow out gracefully and join the growing pool of seasoned talent in the SPL.