Credit: Imago / beIN Sports

Harri Burton

Mon 27 April 2026 14:30, UK

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Mohamed Salah may have played his final ever game for Liverpool, especially if the winger is retrospectively banned at Anfield.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Egyptian star should face punishment after a clear act of simulation against Crystal Palace.

In the early stages on Saturday, 25 April, the 33-year-old went down under pressure from Brennan Johnson inside the penalty area, with referee Andy Madley pointing to the spot.

After a VAR review, however, the decision was overturned, suggesting that Salah bought the penalty against Palace, but the exit-bound winger avoided any punishment for diving.

Mohamed Salah should have to serve ban before Liverpool return

In the 59th minute, the player was forced off with an injury, one which could potentially rule him out for the remainder of the season. If he returns, though, Hackett wants to see Salah retrospectively punished.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “It’s a dive. It’s an act of simulation, and it’s an easy yellow card for him to award. He’s seeing the incident for a second time, recognising the dive, and he has been deceived. 

“This is an even stronger case than usual for a yellow card because he pointed to the penalty spot. Unless referees start to get to grips with acts of simulation, it’ll continue to grow.

“It’s on the increase, and it’s creating a problem for the referees. He’s gotten away with it, though. Kids will follow him, and that’s my concern.

“If the referee doesn’t act, the authorities need to. There should be a review taking place, confirm that it’s an act of simulation, and there should be a one-match ban.”

Should Liverpool fans be concerned by Salah’s injury prognosis?

The exit-bound superstar appeared to pull up with a hamstring injury just short of the hour mark, being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong for the remainder of the win at Anfield.

Speaking after the game, Arne Slot said: “We don’t know, that’s the best answer I can give because if I say it might be a chance then probably all the headlines are, ‘there might be a chance…’

“We simply don’t know, but what we do know is the season is in four weeks over, so there are not a lot of games being played.”

Reports suggest that the winger is unlikely to return before the final game of the season, with Liverpool at home against Brentford on Sunday, 24 May, which would be a disappointing end to his career on Merseyside.