A whole generation of Liverpool supporters were left heartbroken after watching Mohamed Salah's post on X, in which the Egyptian icon confirmed he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. The video, which opened with a montage of the 33-year-old's goals throughout his nine-year stint at Anfield, left supporters reeling as they were confronted with the stark reality of a future without Salah on the right flank.
His exit, though, did not come entirely out of nowhere, given his contract was due to expire at the end of next season, alongside his outburst directed at the club's hierarchy and Arne Slot back in December, which cast serious doubt over his long-term future at the club.
Without Salah in the ranks next season, the club's ongoing rebuild has now encountered a significant new obstacle, compounded further by the uncertainty surrounding Slot's position as head coach heading into the 2026/27 campaign.
We examine Xabi Alonso's reported conditions amid speculation over a potential return to Merseyside, as well as Salah's contract situation being described as a "mess."
Having remained out of management since his departure from Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso is reportedly willing to take the head coach position at Liverpool should the club make a formal approach, according to BILD Sport.
However, a return to Merseyside for the former Liverpool star won't hinge on the sentimental aspect of his homecoming to the Anfield faithful, but rather the degree of authority he'll be granted over squad recruitment.
German media outlets report that the Spaniard was refused greater involvement in transfer planning at Madrid prior to taking the role, and it's a scenario he'll be keen to avoid should he be appointed as Slot's replacement.
While it remains to be seen who the Reds will pursue in the summer transfer window, Alonso would undoubtedly welcome the prospect of reuniting with his former Bayer Leverkusen stars Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
Not even a year into his reported £400,000-a-week deal, Salah has chosen to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. The decision to hand him the new contract during his landmark 2024/25 campaign while guiding the Reds to Premier League glory was roundly criticised by Jason Cundy.
The former Chelsea defender turned talkSPORT pundit directed his frustration at Liverpool's hierarchy, arguing that the enormous contract awarded to the winger should instead have been offered to Trent Alexander-Arnold to prevent his departure to Real Madrid.
"All the Liverpool fans phoning up moaning about Trent, about what happened, they turned down £20m from Real Madrid," Cundy said on the Sports Bar. "They gave Mo Salah a two-year contract on £400,000-a-week, they gave the contract to the wrong player!
"They should have given that money to Trent, in his prime. So he's walked on a free, they've both walked on a free. So they give the money to Trent, and all the Liverpool fans moaning... they've put their eggs in the wrong basket, Liverpool.
"They've ballsed this right up, they should have given Trent, at the peak of his powers, give him what he wanted, sit down, do the deal, do the deal earlier, and let Salah go. Now all of a sudden, you find they've gone on a free... wow! I mean, that is a mess... that is an absolute mess."
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