Salah's Liverpool future under spotlight as Brighton visit Anfield

Dec 11 : Liverpool's crumbling Premier League title defence faces another stern test when Brighton & Hove Albion visit Anfield on Saturday, but the real drama surrounds Mohamed Salah, whose explosive outburst has left the Egyptian winger's future under scrutiny.

The 33-year-old tore into Liverpool and manager Arne Slot, who was already grappling with his side's apparent crisis of confidence, in incendiary post-match comments following last weekend's 3-3 draw with Leeds United, telling journalists he felt scapegoated for their dismal start to the season.

The Merseyside club are currently languishing in 10th place with 23 points from 15 matches, a far cry from last season's romp to the title.

Nicknamed "The Egyptian King," Liverpool's third-highest scorer, with 250 goals in 420 appearances, has endured a turbulent campaign following an extraordinary 2024-25 season.

He was left on the bench in last month's 2-0 win at West Ham United, came on as a substitute in the 1-1 home draw with Sunderland, but was unused in the draw at Leeds United and omitted entirely from Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League win at Inter Milan.

When asked whether Salah had played his last game for Liverpool, Slot admitted before the Inter match that he had "no clue".

"It's difficult but it's a collective difficult situation that we're all in," Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told Amazon Prime after the San Siro clash.

"Between Mo and the club, things are going on and he's not here today, that's the reality. I don't think anything has changed in terms of our focus and determination.

"I've known him for such a long time, we are good friends and have been through highs and lows. We speak and those types of things will stay indoors as it should be. We have to