Mohamed Salah blocks Liverpool teammate exit as approaches made for January deal
Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview after Liverpool drew 3-3 with Leeds United on Saturday looks set to continue to cause a major stir in the coming weeks.
The Reds star was an unused substitute again in the Premier League, after Arne Slot had previously left him sitting on the bench during the 2-0 win away at West Ham at the end of November.
Football Insider revealed last weekend that Saudi Pro League sides are expected to make offers for Salah in the January window, after his frustrations at Anfield came to a head in public view after the clash at Elland Road.
The Egypt international has been one of the Merseysiders’ biggest stars in recent years, but his latest swipe at the club appears to have put his future in the Premier League under threat.
Mohamed Salah comments to prevent Federico Chiesa exit in January
Football Insider exclusively revealed that a Liverpool exit is off the cards for Salah in January, and his recent comments appear set to affect more than just his own future.
Federico Chiesa has largely been on the fringes of the squad since his move from Juventus in the summer of 2024, and he has been heavily linked with a return to Italy in recent weeks.
The winger has played a total of just 143 minutes of league football so far in 2025/26, and still has an impressive three goal contributions to his name from that level of gametime.
- Chiesa was named in the Team of the Tournament when Italy won Euro 2020
- He has still played just 247 minutes of league football since he joined Liverpool
- Chiesa withdrew from the Italy squad for their World Cup Qualifiers in November
The 28-year-old has now been subject to enquiries from both Roma and Napoli in recent days, according to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato.
Both clubs are interested in the possibility of a loan deal for Chiesa, but Salah’s outburst is now understood to have created a potential “problem” in the deal.
It is thought that Chiesa could potentially be kept at Liverpool as a result of the ongoing dispute between Salah and the club.
Why Federico Chiesa must seize opportunity vs Brighton
Football Insider revealed at the end of November that Liverpool had been open to allowing Chiesa to leave in January, but that was before the Salah situation escalated recently.
The Italian has had limited opportunities to impress under Slot, and hasn’t been named as part of the 19-man squad to travel to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
That means that his next chance to impress the boss could come against Brighton next Saturday.
If Chiesa is to truly benefit from Salah’s situation, then it is vital that he turns in a strong performance at some point in the coming games in order to convince Slot that he is worthy of more minutes.
If he fails to manage that, then he could easily be shown the door in January, regardless of how Salah’s future plays out.