ANFIELD EXIT SIGNS: WHY SALAH’S FOREST FRUSTRATION SUGGESTS HIS LIVERPOOL CHAPTER IS FINALLY CLOSING
Anfield tension: Discover why Mohamed Salah was subbed for Rio Ngumoha and how his 9-game drought threatens Liverpool's top four.
Mohamed Salah just hasn’t looked like himself this season at Liverpool. Against Nottingham Forest, you could see his frustration all over his face.
Not long ago, things seemed to be turning around for him. Salah had started scoring again. In his last five games, he picked up four assists and a goal. It looked like maybe he was back.
But in the Forest game, Liverpool actually looked sharper after Salah went off and Rio Ngumoha came on. Ngumoha brought so much energy that he changed the whole vibe of the attack. Salah clearly wasn’t happy about getting subbed, even though it was the right call from Arne Slot.
Let’s be honest, who looks pleased when they get taken off? It always kicks off a load of speculation, with people watching for every tiny sign that something’s wrong, over-analysing every shrug or frown. But really, Salah just looked disappointed in his own performance and in the fact that Liverpool were still level with Forest. It probably wasn’t just about getting hooked.
Still, even with Salah’s recent improvement, it feels like his time at Anfield is winding down. It’s rare for a player to leave on a high note. The rumours about MLS and Saudi Arabia aren’t going away, and you get the sense he won’t be any different.
On BBC Five Live, Clinton Morrison didn’t hold back. He said if Salah and Liverpool keep playing like this, forget about the Champions League. “There are still some big problems there, aren’t there?” he told Rick Edwards. “Salah didn’t look happy again.”
Edwards agreed, saying, “If Liverpool play like that for the rest of the season, they’re not getting Champions League. And Salah didn’t look happy again, did he?”
Morrison pointed out how lively Ngumoha was when he came on, setting up a disallowed goal and sparking the team. “Salah didn’t do any of that at all,” he said.
Edwards pressed on, “I think there’s still a big issue there, isn’t there?”
Morrison agreed. “Yeah, well, he hasn’t scored in nine Premier League matches now. It’s his longest run without a goal. I don’t think things are harmonious behind the scenes between him and Arne Slot. We saw hints of it before Christmas, with that ‘throw me under the bus’ comment and then the apology. He looked grumpy about being subbed, but if you’re playing badly, you’re going to get subbed. That’s just how it goes.”
ANDY ROBERTSON CONFIRMS LIVERPOOL EXIT; FOUR EUROPEAN GIANTS BATTLE FOR HIS SIGNATURE
Andy Robertson confirms he is leaving Liverpool. Explore his 4 potential moves to Napoli, Juventus, Spurs, or Atletico.
Andy Robertson has confirmed he’s leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing his nine-year run at Anfield to a close. The 32-year-old left-back will walk away as a free agent, and he’s not short of suitors; four clubs are reportedly keen to sign him.
Robertson’s time at Liverpool has been loaded with silverware: two Premier League titles, a Champions League, two League Cups, an FA Cup, plus the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield. But things have changed for him recently. Since Liverpool signed Milos Kerkez, Robertson has struggled to get consistent minutes and has started only 15 games this season. He wanted a move over the winter but stayed put when Liverpool couldn’t find his replacement. Now, with an exit set in stone, the hunt for someplace he can play regularly is on.
Tottenham Hotspur was close to a deal in January. Robertson had reportedly agreed to terms, but Liverpool pulled the plug when they couldn’t bring in someone new. If Spurs want him this summer, they’ll have to convince him their future is stable. Relegation shouldn’t even be a possibility, but this season’s been a mess for them. If they do go down, there’s almost no chance Robertson would agree to play in the Championship.
Atletico Madrid is another option. They already tried to get Robertson last summer, probably seeing him as a perfect player for Diego Simeone’s tough, aggressive style. Atletico looks set for another season in the Champions League, and after beating Barcelona 2-0 at Camp Nou in the quarters, they’ve shown they can go deep. If Robertson wants to keep chasing big European nights, Madrid might be calling.
Juventus have their eye on him, too. The club has a long history of snapping up seasoned players on free transfers, and Robertson fits the mould. Juve is fighting just to get back into the Champions League these days, but its leadership could help lift the mood and the results in Turin. Andrea Cambiaso is their starter at left-back right now, but adding Robertson’s experience wouldn’t hurt on the pitch or in the dressing room.
Finally, there’s Napoli. They’re much closer to the title fight in Serie A, closing the gap on Inter Milan and riding a wave of five straight wins. Antonio Conte would likely see Robertson as a great option for his back-five system. The Scot has played as a wing-back and on the left side of a back three for both Liverpool and Scotland, so the fit makes sense. Plus, Napoli would give him another shot at winning trophies in a city that lives for football.
So, Robertson’s next move isn’t set yet, but wherever he goes, he brings a wealth of experience and a hunger to play every week. He’s not done winning.
ALAN SHEARER DEMANDS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY FOR ARNE SLOT TO KEEP JOB
Arne Slot under fire! See the Shearer vs Richards debate on The Rest Is Football podcast about Liverpool’s future.
Alan Shearer thinks Arne Slot needs to actually win the Champions League if he wants to stay in charge at Liverpool, but Micah Richards sees things differently. He says Slot deserves another season, no matter what happens.
Right now, Slot’s under real pressure. Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has been a mess. They got humiliated in the FA Cup, losing 4-0 to Manchester City, and things aren’t looking any better as they head to France to face PSG in the Champions League quarter-final. If they don’t win in Europe, they probably miss out on the Champions League next season at least, that’s how Shearer sees it, since their league form has been awful.
On The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer was blunt: “It’s crazy, especially after last season and all the money they’ve spent. It just hasn’t worked; they’re all over the place, so inconsistent. He has to win the Champions League. I’m not even sure finishing top five will be enough, and it’s just sad seeing how things have gone at Liverpool.”
Back in January, Shearer said he expected Slot to get sacked if he didn’t secure Champions League football for next year. There’s a small lifeline: the Premier League might get an extra Champions League spot through the coefficient rankings, but that’s not confirmed yet.
If that happens, fifth place gets you in. Liverpool is fifth right now, but the race is tight. Only five points separate them from ninth-place Fulham, and teams like Chelsea, Brentford, and Everton are waiting for any slip-ups, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Shearer’s convinced Slot is in trouble if he misses out on the top European competition. Richards, though, thinks the Dutchman’s earned more patience, especially after winning the league just last season.
Richards said, “I’d give him another season. I hate calling it a transition, and yeah, he’s spent a lot of money, but their main striker’s been out injured, there’s been tragedy in the club, the whole contract saga with Salah has been one thing after another. Give him one more pre-season. If things aren’t fixed by Christmas, then fine, make the change. Let’s not forget, he just won the Premier League.”
Shearer wasn’t buying it. He cut in: “That’s fine, but after winning the league, they’re miles off this season, even after all that spending. I hear what you’re saying about bad luck and circumstances, but this is Liverpool. They’re expected to win, and they’ve spent a fortune. They might not even finish in the top five, that’s why he has to win the Champions League.”
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