Ashraf AboArafe writes
In a baffling display of poor judgment, Liverpool FC continues to mishandle the most important player to wear its shirt in the modern era.
What is unfolding is not a negotiation issue—it is a crisis of respect, vision, and leadership.
Mohamed Salah, the man who resurrected Liverpool’s European relevance, boosted its global brand, and shattered nearly every goalscoring record, now faces an administration that treats him like a replaceable asset rather than the club’s defining figure of the last decade.
I. Reasons – Why Has Liverpool Reached This Shameful Position?
1. A Management Lost in Its Own Ego
Liverpool behaves as though it is negotiating with an ordinary player, forgetting that Salah is the cornerstone of its modern success.
This isn’t discipline—it’s arrogance.
2. Cold Financial Logic That Ignores Reality
The club clings to a strict wage structure, pretending that Salah is just another salary figure.
But the truth is simple:
Salah increased the club’s revenues, global reach, and commercial power more than any boardroom decision ever did.
3. Obsession with Age, Blindness to Brilliance
Liverpool views any player over 30 as “expendable,” ignoring the fact that Salah continues to outperform younger forwards across Europe.
A player who redefines longevity is being judged by outdated metrics.
4. Temptation of Saudi Money
Instead of protecting their superstar, the club behaves as if Middle Eastern offers are a convenient exit route.
It is opportunism disguised as financial prudence.
II. Grounds – How This Mismanagement Became Visible
1. The Humiliating Delay in Contract Renewal
Elite players see their contracts renewed two years in advance.
But Salah was left hanging, as if the club were waiting for a “better option.”
2. Calculated Media Leaks to Shift Blame
Well-placed leaks suggested Salah’s demands were “unreasonable”—a predictable tactic to sway public opinion.
A manipulative move. A cowardly one.
3. Questionable Technical Decisions
Sudden substitutions, reduced involvement in key moments, and public hints that the team “does not depend on one player.”
This is not tactical strategy—it is soft punishment.
4. Psychological Pressure as a Negotiating Tool
Liverpool seems to be betting on wearing Salah down as his contract edges closer to expiry.
A tactic more suited to small clubs—not one of England’s giants.
III. Alternatives – What Liverpool Should Have Done
1. A Contract that Honors Legacy, Not Just Performance
Two years ago, Liverpool should have placed a long-term, high-value offer on the table, accompanied by a clear sporting vision and respect.
2. A Public Declaration: Salah Is Non-Negotiable
Instead of silence and ambiguity, the club should have affirmed the obvious:
Mohamed Salah is untouchable. Full stop.
3. A Sporting Project Built Around a Global Icon
Liverpool needs Salah more than Salah needs Liverpool.
He is not just a scorer—he is the team’s creative nucleus and psychological anchor.
4. Respect for an Irreplaceable Era
Players like Salah do not appear twice.
And when they leave, they take an era with them.
Conclusion: A Club That Undermines Its Icon Undermines Itself
Liverpool now stands at a crossroads:
Either it rectifies this insult and restores dignity to its greatest modern legend,
or it allows Salah to walk away in a manner that will haunt the club for years.
Because truthfully:
Losing Mohamed Salah is not losing a player—
it is losing the very identity of Liverpool’s most successful modern chapter.
