Why Salah’s future at Liverpool remains unsettled

November 20, 2025 Oliver Obel

Liverpool handed Salah a deal intended to carry him deep into his 30s, a move designed to keep the club’s most reliable scorer at the heart of its attack. GOAL has noted that staff at the club still believe he can regain the sharp edge that has defined his career, particularly as the 2025–26 season approaches.

Salah recently passed the 250-goal mark for the club, a reminder of the output Liverpool still hopes to rely on.

But the market has changed. Saudi clubs remain persistent—and financially well-armed—as they continue to target high-profile forwards. For a player of Salah’s age and profile, the possibility of one final, lucrative move abroad will likely stay on the table.

James: Decisions won’t come wown to contracts alone

Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James, speaking to GOAL in an interview arranged through an online betting partner, said any major decision about Salah’s future would hinge on honest conversation rather than paperwork.

“Liverpool didn't have to sign Mo Salah and Mo Salah didn't have to sign for Liverpool,” he told the outlet, pointing out that performance drives most long-term decisions. He suggested Liverpool could eventually face a situation “where Mo's numbers aren't what Liverpool need,” opening the door for an outside bidder.

James doesn’t see Salah coasting. “I don't think I could see a situation where Mo's going to hang around just to get paid,” he said, adding that both sides would talk through their options if the landscape changed.

At the same time, he acknowledged that strong form could bring renewed pressure from Saudi Arabia. Their financial backing, he said, might “make an offer that Liverpool can't refuse.”

Liverpool preparing for life after Salah

While emphasizing that no departure is imminent, James said Liverpool tends to plan early when dealing with senior players. Mentioning Diogo Jota as an example of succession planning, he argued that Liverpool’s recruitment department rarely finds itself unprepared.

The club’s strategic approach has been visible in recent years: integrating new forwards while veterans remain productive, building depth before gaps emerge.

Age not a major concern

James pushed back on the idea that Salah is nearing the end of his prime. Drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, he said Salah’s physical standards remain unusually high for his age and that the forward “has another contract in him, easily” if he chooses to pursue one later in his career.

Should Salah stay through the end of his current contract, he will complete a decade at Anfield—an uncommon level of continuity in modern football.

And while Liverpool would command a significant fee if they ever considered selling him, there is currently little sign that Salah is preparing to wind down his career or angle for a move.

Source: GOAL