As Liverpool get ready to face Brighton, Gary Lineker has shared his worries about how Mohamed Salah at the club is being handled. A narrow Champions League win over Inter Milan should have lifted the mood. Instead, uncertainty around Salah’s role has dominated the build-up. His absence from the squad earlier this week has raised fresh questions and sparked concern among former players.
LINEKER VOICES CONCERN OVER SALAH SITUATION
Mohamed Salah is still contracted to Liverpool until 2027, but that has not stopped the current situation from feeling uncomfortable. Gary Lineker admitted as much when discussing the winger’s recent actions and reaction to being left out.
Speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Lineker said the whole episode made him feel uneasy rather than angry. He felt Salah had been caught in an emotional moment, especially after not being introduced from the bench. That, in his view, is when things began to spiral.
Lineker pointed out how quickly opinion has turned against Salah. He said he understood why fans were frustrated, but also felt the criticism had become heavy. One image stayed with him in particular. Salah training alone in the gym, shared quietly on social media, felt telling.
There was no anger in Lineker’s words, more concern. He wondered aloud whether Salah now regrets how he reacted. He also suggested that emotions, timing, and pride all collided at the worst possible moment.
UNCERTAINTY AHEAD OF BRIGHTON CLASH
Lineker also hinted that Salah could miss the Brighton match altogether. If that happens, it would only add to the sense that this situation is drifting rather than being resolved.
Liverpool have leaned on Salah for years, especially in tight league matches. His absence is never just tactical. It changes the mood around the team and the noise outside it.
Arne Slot is still trying to settle into his role and bring stability. Constant speculation around a senior player makes that harder. Leaving Salah out again, whether justified or not, would keep the spotlight firmly on the issue.
Liverpool insist they want him to stay. Publicly, that message has not changed. But team selections tend to speak louder than statements. Without clarity soon, the distraction risks becoming a problem in itself.
WHAT IS MOHAMED SALAH WORTH NOW
Earlier in the year, Liverpool reportedly turned down an offer worth £100m plus £50m in add-ons. At the time, it felt like a show of strength. Salah was still delivering and still central to the team.
Since then, his form during the 2025/26 season has dipped slightly. Nothing dramatic, but enough to spark debate. A recent interview has only added fuel to talk that he may now be open to a move.
Interest from the Saudi Pro League remains strong. That changes the conversation. Clubs there can still spend heavily, even on players approaching their thirties.
Transfermarkt values Salah at €30m, but that number feels detached from reality. Liverpool would struggle to justify selling at that level, even given his age. His value is no longer just about goals. It is about status, influence, and timing.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
This feels like a situation that needs calm rather than noise. Mohamed Salah has given Liverpool years of consistency and big moments, and that should count for something now. Gary Lineker’s concern makes sense because endings matter just as much as success. If the club and player slow things down and talk properly, this does not need to turn sour. If they don’t, a great Liverpool story risks drifting into an awkward one that nobody really wants.
As featured on Walkon.com
