Salah on the Verge of Leaving Liverpool, Haunted by a Curse with Madrid

Mohamed Salah's future is the only shadow over Liverpool's splendid form. After nine seasons under Jürgen Klopp, which saw the 'reds' reach the pinnacle with a Premier League and a Champions League, among other titles, the arrival of Dutchman Arne Slot has revitalised the British team. Sixteen victories in eighteen matches summarise the powerful start to the season by a squad that has marched triumphantly in both the Premier League and the Champions League. In this dazzling start, the Egyptian winger has played a crucial role. With twelve goals and ten assists, the Pharaoh is haunted by a curse with Real Madrid that he aims to break after stirring fears among his supporters.

"It's almost December and I still haven't received any offer to stay at the club. I'm probably more out than in," said Salah after being the main architect of Liverpool's comeback at Southampton on Sunday. A brace from the African star quelled the rebellion of the Premier League's bottom team, which went 2-1 up but committed 'harakiri' in the final stretch, falling victim to the predatory prowess of the 'reds' great star.

Salah has long been hearing the siren calls from Saudi football and, at 32, seems inclined towards leaving the club he joined seven years ago from Roma. "It's my last year with Liverpool. I just want to enjoy it and not think about it," the Egyptian, whose contract expires next summer, had already stated at the start of the current season. The saga took another turn after that hard-fought victory over Southampton with statements reflecting the player's discontent with the club that pays him.

A practising Muslim, Salah has always been in the sights of Saudi Arabia, which tempted him two years ago with a 200 million euro offer from Al Ittihad that fell through. The desire fuelled by petrodollars remains, although the player keeps the matter on hold while leading Liverpool's offensive machinery. "I don't want to talk about it. I'm focused on the team now. I'm very professional. Everyone can see my work ethic. I just try to enjoy my football and will play at the highest level for as long as possible. I do my best because that's who I am and I try to give everything for myself and the club. We'll see what happens next," he noted after reaching ten Premier League goals on Sunday, just two fewer than Haaland.

The statistics dispel any doubts about his commitment. Salah has only failed to score or assist in four of the eighteen matches he has played with the 'reds' this season and is the fourth player with the most goal contributions in the five major leagues, behind Harry Kane, Omar Marmoush, and Robert Lewandowski. "I love the fans and the fans love me. In the end, it's not in my hands or the fans'. Let's wait and see what happens. I'm not retiring soon, so I'm just playing, focusing on the season, and trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League too. I'm disappointed, but we'll see," argued the forward who will try to avenge himself against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Salah has faced the Chamartín side eight times but has never managed to defeat them. He lost twice to the Whites with Roma and succumbed in five of the six encounters with them while wearing Liverpool's jersey. The goalless draw in the second leg of the 2020-21 quarter-finals, futile since Real Madrid had previously won 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, was the most positive result Salah achieved.

Along the way, two particularly painful scenarios for the Egyptian: the 3-1 defeat in the Champions League final in Kiev, which earned Real Madrid their Thirteenth title and from which he had to withdraw injured after a clash with Sergio Ramos; and the 0-1 that sealed the Fourteenth in Paris after nine decisive saves by Courtois, six of them in response to Salah's shots, who will face the Belgian again this Wednesday.