Mohamed Salah
February 2026
Reports claim Salah may leave this summer, with Liverpool preferring a sale rather than risking him running his contract down toward a free departure. Tension has followed a public complaint about being benched, later apologised for, plus January exit talk that did not happen; with his contract clock ticking, Liverpool could choose to sell to protect value.
Dominik Szoboszlai
February 2026
irgil van Dijk said Dominik Szoboszlai could develop into a leadership figure capable of captaining Liverpool, with the midfielder’s form and versatility standing out during an inconsistent season. Szoboszlai has reached 10 goals this season, scoring again in Liverpool’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Brighton, and has filled multiple roles including a stint at right-back. With uncertainty around Robertson’s long-term future, Van Dijk said Szoboszlai is “leading by example” but still has steps to make as a leader.
Cristiano Ronaldo
January 2026
Reports say Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Al-Nassr this summer, with one scenario tied to Mohamed Salah moving to the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo has missed two league matches amid a protest over PIF-backed transfers that strengthened rivals Al-Hilal. The dispute escalated after Karim Benzema moved from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal and scored a debut hat-trick, while Al-Nassr did not add similar reinforcements. The league issued a statement saying clubs act independently within the same financial framework and no star controls decisions.
Mohamed Salah
January 2026
Salah’s latest league start ended in defeat, leaving him on the losing side in seven of his last eight Premier League starts, matching a negative Liverpool record previously associated with Kuyt. Salah returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and started immediately, but Liverpool lost again as their domestic form continued to slide, worsening pressure on Slot’s title defence.
Mohamed Salah
January 2026
Egypt were knocked out by Senegal in the AFCON semi-final, but Salah is still not expected back immediately because Egypt must play Nigeria in the third-place playoff. Mane scored late to decide the semi-final. Egypt can release players early, but the expectation is Salah remains with the squad until the playoff is completed.
Mohamed Salah
January 2026
Salah reached 100 goal contributions for Egypt (65 goals, 35 assists) after scoring in a 3-2 win over Ivory Coast to send Egypt into the AFCON semi-finals. He scored in the 52nd minute, taking him to 100 contributions in 111 games, quicker than Messi (122) and Ronaldo (136), but behind Pelé (77) and Neymar (94).
Mohamed Salah
December 2025
Egypt stayed unbeaten at AFCON after drawing 0-0 with Angola in their final Group B match, with Mohamed Salah unused on the bench. The Pharaohs had already secured a last-16 spot, so the result was about managing minutes rather than chasing goals. Coach Hossam Hassan rotated heavily and also rested Omar Marmoush, keeping key players fresh for the knockouts. Egypt had qualified via earlier wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, then closed the group with a clean sheet at Adrar Stadium in Morocco.
Alexander Isak
December 2025
Record signing Alexander Isak fractured his fibula and damaged his ankle while scoring in Liverpool’s win over nine-man Spurs, capping a turbulent start to life at Anfield following a disrupted pre-season and just as he seemed to be regaining sharpness from the bench. Slot condemned Van de Ven’s “reckless” tackle, arguing it would cause serious injury most times, and confirmed surgery plus “a couple of months” out but insisted Isak will still feature later this season, even as Liverpool also cope with Salah at AFCON, Szoboszlai’s suspension and fitness doubts over Bradley and Gakpo.
Mohamed Salah
December 2025
Egypt needed late magic from Mohamed Salah to secure a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe, coming from behind after wasting a dominant first half before Marmoush equalised and Salah struck in stoppage time to avoid an embarrassing start to their AFCON campaign. Operating with more freedom than at Liverpool, Salah roamed centrally and from the right, repeatedly creating chances before his influence dipped, then reappeared at the death when he teed up Zizo, missed further openings and finally swivelled inside the box to smash home the decisive half-volley.
Mohamed Salah
December 2025
Mohamed Salah has apologised to his Liverpool team mates after a tense interview where he accused the club of breaking promises and making him a scapegoat during a poor run. Curtis Jones says the dressing room accepted the apology and still backs the forward. Salah was benched for several matches, then returned against Brighton to set up Hugo Ekitike in a home win. Arne Slot has downplayed any rift, insisting relationships are repaired as Salah departs for Africa Cup of Nations duty and Liverpool focus on regaining consistency.
