Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is no stranger to the spotlight, but the Egyptian star’s anticipated return from the Africa Cup of Nations is shaping up to be anything but routine. With tensions simmering at Anfield and a key locker-room ally now plying his trade in Italy, Salah faces a potentially frosty homecoming that could define the next chapter of his storied career.
Salah, currently away on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, is guaranteed to be absent from Liverpool until at least January 5, 2026. That absence could stretch another two weeks if Egypt marches all the way to the final. While Salah’s exploits for his national side have once again captured headlines—Egypt were the first team to secure a spot in the AFCON knockout stages after winning their opening two group matches—the drama swirling back on Merseyside has been impossible to ignore.
The crux of the tension? Salah’s vocal frustration with Liverpool management following a string of disappointing results in December 2025. After being benched for several matches, the 33-year-old forward didn’t hold back, expressing his displeasure in no uncertain terms. According to multiple sources, Salah’s outburst after a dramatic 3-3 draw at Leeds was particularly incendiary, stoking speculation that his days at Anfield might be numbered.
It’s not just his words that have Liverpool fans and pundits buzzing. The timing of Salah’s absence coincides with a significant shift in the Anfield dressing room. Kostas Tsimikas, the Greek left-back who had become one of Salah’s closest confidants during their five years together at Liverpool, is now on loan at Roma. Tsimikas’ departure followed the summer arrival of Milos Kerkez, a move orchestrated by new boss Arne Slot. For Salah, who once described Tsimikas as one of his "best mates" at the club, the timing couldn’t be worse.
“Mo is one of my best mates here. Always when I want something, he was always there for me to help me,” Tsimikas shared with reporters back in December 2021, reflecting on their relationship after just a year on Merseyside. “As a person, he is one of the best I have met in my life. He was there when I wanted him and needed him to tell me what the manager wants. He was always there to help me and we are very good friends, and we spend a lot of time here in the training ground together, and we have a lot of chats.”
The absence of Tsimikas in the Liverpool locker room has left Salah without a trusted sounding board at a time when he could use one most. Tsimikas, who has struggled to find his feet during a turbulent opening six months at Roma, would have been a valuable supporter as Salah navigates the choppy waters of club politics and media scrutiny. The Athletic previously reported just how "tight" the duo were, underscoring the void left by Tsimikas’ exit.
The uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future has only intensified as rumors of a January transfer swirl. Saudi Arabian clubs, who courted Salah heavily last summer, are once again rumored to be preparing lucrative offers. Yet, despite the mounting speculation, Liverpool is not believed to be actively pursuing a sale. The club’s official stance remains that Salah is a key part of their plans, though insiders acknowledge that the relationship between player and club has grown strained.
Tsimikas, for his part, offered candid insight into Salah’s state of mind during the previous summer’s transfer window. Speaking to Sport 24 in June 2025, the Greek defender revealed just how close Salah came to leaving Anfield. “When he [Salah] said he felt he was more outside than inside the team, it was true, the chances of him staying were 10-20 percent, it wasn’t more,” Tsimikas admitted. “If they didn’t give him what he wanted, Mo wouldn’t sit back, he would leave, but he wanted to stay, because he loves the team, he loves the people. He likes it here very much, his family has been here for so many years, it’s a difficult step to leave. With the season he had, it was only a matter of time before they gave him what he wanted and he stayed.”
That loyalty to Liverpool, rooted in personal relationships and a deep connection to the club and city, has long been a hallmark of Salah’s time at Anfield. But the events of the past month have tested that bond as never before. The Egyptian’s frustration at being sidelined during a rare dip in form for the Reds, coupled with the absence of his closest friend, have created a perfect storm of uncertainty as the January transfer window approaches.
It’s a scenario that’s left fans divided. Some argue that Salah’s passion and willingness to speak his mind are exactly what Liverpool needs as they look to rebound from a difficult stretch. Others worry that the public airing of grievances signals a deeper rift that could be irreparable, especially with Saudi clubs circling and the lure of a new challenge—and a massive payday—on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Tsimikas’ own fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in Rome. After a promising start, the Greek international has fallen out of favor and struggled for consistent playing time. Yet his words about Salah, both past and present, continue to resonate on Merseyside. The defender’s revelation that Salah’s commitment to Liverpool was hanging by a thread last summer only adds to the intrigue as January draws near.
It’s worth noting that Salah’s relationship with the club has weathered storms before. His goal-scoring exploits and leadership on and off the pitch have made him a fan favorite and a talismanic figure since his arrival in 2017. But football, as ever, is a game of fine margins—and shifting allegiances.
As the AFCON knockout rounds beckon and Liverpool’s season hangs in the balance, all eyes will be on Salah’s next move. Will the Egyptian King return to Anfield and reclaim his throne, or is this the beginning of the end for one of the Premier League’s most electrifying partnerships?
For now, the only certainty is uncertainty. Salah’s future, like Liverpool’s fortunes, remains very much up in the air. With the January transfer window looming and a key ally watching from afar in Rome, the stage is set for a dramatic reunion—one that could shape the destiny of club and player alike.
