Ibrahima Konate was asked if he thinks Mohamed Salah has played his final game for Liverpool after he acknowledged the Anfield crowd on Saturday – and his response speaks volumes.
Salah suggested in his bombshell interview on December 6 that Liverpool‘s Premier League clash against Brighton could be his last for the club as he prepares to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 33-year-old’s future remains uncertain after he accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” following a tricky start to the 2025-26 campaign.
He also claimed that his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down.
After criticising the club after their 2-2 draw against Leeds United, Salah was left out of Slot’s squad for their Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday night.
However, after holding talks with Slot on Friday, the Egyptian was named on the bench for this weekend’s game against Brighton and was introduced in the 26th minute after an injury to Joe Gomez.
Salah acknowledges the Liverpool fans following Saturday’s win over Brighton. Image credit: Getty
He proceeded to break Wayne Rooney’s record for the most goal involvements for a single team in Premier League history (277) after notching a second-half assist for Hugo Ekitike in the 2-0 win.
After the full-time whistle, Salah could be seen applauding the Kop with a huge smile on his face as fans chanted his trademark “Mo Salah running down the wing” song.
His future, however, remains uncertain ahead of the January window. However, teammate Ibrahima Konate may have dropped a timely hint as he spoke to French TV channel Canal+ after the full-time whistle.
Asked if Salah has played his last game for Liverpool, Konate delivered a telling response.
“Personally no, I don’t think so,” he said, as per Anfield Sector.
“Today you saw how much he loves this club. What happened with him, you have to understand the frustration sometimes felt by players who have such a career, who have done so much.”
Konate added: “He is a player that everyone loves, the coach loves, he loves the coach, everyone loves each other at this club.”
One thing is for certain; there will be plenty of interest if Salah decides to leave Liverpool.
Earlier this week, the Saudi Pro League’s chief executive Omar Mugharbel confirmed that Saudi clubs are interested in signing the forward.
“Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players,” he said at the World Football Summit in Saudi Arabia. “For sure Salah is one of them [a target].”
Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah are all prepared to make a move for the player, according to The Telegraph.
Arne Slot responds after being asked if he expects to see Mo Salah after AFCON duty
Speaking after Saturday’s game against Brighton, Slot was asked whether he expected to see Salah in January after his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Yes. He is a Liverpool player and when he is here I like to use him when we need him,” the Dutchman said.
“Today he didn’t start as he did for a few games before but in the one-and-a-half seasons before that he started almost every game. He had the performance like you would want him to give.”
Slot added: “He was close to another assist, he was shocked to see Virgil [van Dijk] next to him in that long sprint at the end, he was close to scoring when Fede [Federico Chiesa] assisted him. He was a threat which is very important.”