Liverpool have a decision to make on star man Mohamed Salah, who is set to link up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations before the January transfer window opens
As the Liverpool future of Mohamed Salah remains shrouded in uncertainty, the Egyptian star’s manager at his first club has chimed in. Ivica Todorov was manager of Al Mokawloon in the 2010/11 season, Salah’s first full campaign after making his debut as a teenager the previous season, and has sung the forward’s praises.
Salah has played just 45 minutes across Liverpool’s last four matches, prompting suggestions he could leave in January. He claimed to have been thrown under the bus after remaining on the bench for the Reds’ Premier League draw at Leeds, while former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has spoken widely about last season’s top scorer.
Todorov, however, only has good things to say about a player he brought through more than a decade ago. “I know Mo Salah well. I don’t doubt for a moment his commitment, his work ethic, his lifestyle,” the Serbian told Africa Foot (via Sport Witness).
“He’s a great professional. But time passes, he’s 33 years old, he’s been at Liverpool for more than eight years. I get the impression that Arne Slot no longer really trusts him.
“It’s going to be difficult for the two men to mend fences. Liverpool is struggling in the Premier League. I don’t understand why the coaching staff is depriving themselves of such an important player to try and get out of it.”
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp’s telling Mohamed Salah warning speaks volumes about Liverpool falloutREAD MORE: Liverpool’s private transfer stance on Mohamed Salah as Lionel Messi plea made
Salah is set to link up with Egypt later this month as they prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, while he will be the leading man for his country at the 2026 World Cup. He may leave Liverpool in the winter window, but Todorov believes his options will be limited.
“There aren’t many clubs in the world that can offer him a higher salary than he earns at Liverpool,” he added. “The Saudis can, but does he want to play in a league that, while it has improved over the last three years, isn’t as competitive as those in England or Spain?”
Speaking to TNT Sports this week, former Liverpool star Steve McManaman expressed his hope for a resolution to the Salah situation as soon as possible. “He leaves for AFCON on Monday and they’ve got Brighton at the weekend. It would be nice if something is sorted out between now and Saturday,” McManaman said.
“It could be any of the players. He’s got relationships with Virgil van Dijk for the last eight years, and Andy Robertson for the last eight years. Everybody’s close in that dressing room.
“I’d have a word with him if I’d known him for that long saying ‘Oi, this is not good for you and it’s not good for the team going forward.’ This has to be nipped in the bud before he goes to AFCON.
“You can’t have six weeks of everyone thinking about rumours and innuendos: ‘what’s this’, ‘what’s that?’ ‘Will he come back in January? This needs to be nipped in the bud now before he goes because it will not do anybody any good if it carries on over the next six weeks.”
Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
