David Ornstein reveals the truth behind Mo Salah’s Liverpool future

Mo Salah future at Liverpool remains calm amid AFCON spotlight

Few football stories refuse to fade quite like contract uncertainty, and when it involves Mohamed Salah, the noise tends to multiply. Credit is due to David Ornstein and The Athletic for cutting through that noise with measured clarity. The latest reporting suggests that, despite raised eyebrows and raised voices, Salah is expected to remain at Liverpool for the remainder of the season.

This matters because context matters. While Salah continues his pursuit of an elusive Africa Cup of Nations crown with Egypt, including a looming semi final against Senegal, speculation back on Merseyside has rarely paused for breath.

Context behind recent headlines

The flashpoint, of course, was the fallout from the 3-3 draw at Leeds United, where Salah aired frustrations in public. His claim that his relationship with Arne Slot was ‘broken’ and that someone was intent on throwing him ‘under the bus’ carried weight because it was so uncharacteristic.

Such moments often invite rushed conclusions, yet Ornstein’s reporting injects restraint. He wrote: “Despite recent uncertainty, the Egypt attacker is fully expected to finish the campaign at Anfield.”

“It will be hoped his situation then settles down and that he sees out the rest of his agreement, which runs until June 2027. However, if problems remain, it is possible conversations will take place about parting ways early.”

Photo: IMAGO

Ornstein’s update brings clarity

Those lines are important. They neither deny tension nor exaggerate it. They frame a club and a player with too much shared history to act impulsively. Salah featured in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion before departing for AFCON, a detail that undercuts the idea of an imminent rupture.

The suggestion that he is fully expected to see out the season feels credible, not least because Liverpool remain competitive on multiple fronts and stability has value.

Squad dynamics on his return

Selection will be the next pressure point. Salah has not started since the 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, and Liverpool have gone unbeaten in 11 matches since. That form strengthens Slot’s hand, yet Salah’s own AFCON output of four goals and one assist strengthens his.

With Alexander Isak sidelined until at least late February, Salah’s claim to immediate reintegration grows louder. What feels certain is that he will not accept a prolonged role from the bench.

Managing legacy and expectations

Salah’s Liverpool numbers this season, five goals in 20 matches, are modest by his standards. That only sharpens the focus on how this chapter ends. A figure of his stature deserves resolution, not acrimony, and the hope around Anfield will be that cooler heads prevail so that, whenever the farewell comes, it aligns with his contribution to one of the greatest eras the club has enjoyed.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

As a Liverpool fan, this report reads like reassurance rather than alarm. Ornstein’s calm assessment feels right because Salah staying until at least the summer simply makes football sense. The idea of forcing an exit mid season, while chasing trophies, would feel like self sabotage.

Fans also recognise that tension happens in elite environments. Salah’s standards are extreme because his output has been extreme for years. A short term disagreement with Arne Slot does not erase that trust. If anything, it highlights how much he still cares about his role and his status.

There is excitement, too, about what a refreshed Salah could offer on his return. Four goals at AFCON suggest sharpness, hunger, and a point to prove. With injuries elsewhere and big matches looming, having him motivated rather than marginalised feels like a luxury.

Most supporters want a proper ending. Whether that means seeing out his deal to June 2027 or agreeing a respectful parting later, the priority is avoiding bitterness. Salah has delivered moments that define generations, and this update hints that both player and club understand that legacy matters. For now, the best outcome is simple, Salah back on the right wing, Anfield roaring, and the focus returned to football where it belongs.