DRAMATIC transfer U-turn for forward after Mo Salah row

Liverpool are facing an internal crisis over Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian King gave an incendiary interview following the Premier League draw with Leeds on Saturday.

In it he accused certain figures inside the club of wanting him out, claimed his relationship with Arne Slot was non-existent and said the club had thrown him under a bus.

Salah, 33, had been dropped for three Premier League games in a row - against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds - with only one substitute appearance coming in those matches.

The right winger was left out of the travelling party for the Champions League game away at Inter - with speculation now rising that Saturday’s top-flight game against Brighton might be the final one for Salah in Liverpool colours.

Liverpool's life without Salah begins

Egypt commence their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in a matter of days with Salah expected to jet out for the Morocco-based tournament early next week.

In January we could see the forward sold - with clubs in the Saudi Pro League known to be keen and Salah under contract until 2027.

A Salah exit will create somewhat of a selection difficulty for Arne Slot - who despite benching Salah in recent matches has generally started with the two-time African Footballer of the Year.

Without Salah the Reds’ attacking options are severely diminished - with a potential stand-in in Ben Gannon-Doak sold to Bournemouth last summer.

Door open for Chiesa to start matches

We could see Liverpool move for a replacement in January or beyond - or else it could finally open the door for Federico Chiesa to start matches.

If Slot decides to move on from his experiment with Domink Szoboszlai on the right and restores a right winger to the lineup then of course the Italian would be the natural choice.

Chiesa won't be sold if Salah is

The 28-year-old is a fan favourite but no matter what he does he cannot seem to win favour with Slot. With Salah at Afcon he will have a chance to impress - and we could even see the former Juventus winger save his Liverpool career in the process.

It was Chiesa originally earmarked for an Anfield exit in January - and several Serie A teams are known to be keen. But if Salah goes instead then surely sporting director Richard Hughes would not sanction a departure for Chiesa as well.

Under contract until 2028 - the Italy international could be given the opportunity to improve Liverpool’s fortunes in the short term and also help lay down a marker for why he should be kept around on Merseyside for a while yet.

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