Mohamed Salah has found himself at the centre of growing controversy at Liverpool, with criticism intensifying both inside and outside the club as tensions rise ahead of his expected farewell at Anfield. What was meant to be a celebratory final chapter to a legendary nine-year spell has instead become clouded by debate, frustration, and questions over professionalism.

The 33-year-old forward, once the undisputed talisman of Liverpool’s modern era, is set to make his final appearance at Anfield against Brentford on Sunday. However, instead of the occasion being framed purely as a tribute to one of the club’s greatest ever attackers, recent comments and performances have shifted the narrative into uncomfortable territory.

Salah has endured a noticeably difficult season under new manager Arne Slot, with his output dropping compared to his usual elite standards. His influence on matches has been less decisive, and his goal contributions have not matched the extraordinary consistency that defined his peak years under Jürgen Klopp. That decline has fuelled ongoing speculation about his role within the evolving system at Liverpool.

Tensions escalated further after Salah previously hinted that he felt he had been unfairly singled out within the club, suggesting in December that certain internal figures had used him as a scapegoat during periods of underperformance. Those comments already created unease behind the scenes, but the situation intensified again following Liverpool’s 4–2 defeat to Aston Villa.

In the aftermath of that loss, Salah took to social media with a message that appeared to contrast Slot’s tactical approach with the “heavy metal” style associated with Klopp’s tenure. While he did not directly criticise the current manager, the implication was widely interpreted as a subtle but pointed critique of Liverpool’s new direction.

That post triggered immediate backlash from pundits and former coaches, with many arguing that such sentiments should not be aired publicly while a player is still contracted to the club.

Among the most outspoken critics was former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce, who did not hold back in his assessment. Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce suggested that if he were in charge of Liverpool, Salah would be removed from the squad’s final-day send-off entirely.

“If Mohamed Salah is going to say those kinds of things, then say it when you’ve left,” Allardyce said. “Don’t say it when you’re still there, as if you’re bigger than the football club.”

He went even further, arguing that Liverpool’s owners should consider taking disciplinary action.

“If I were the Liverpool owners, I would ban him,” he added. “I’d be thinking, ‘Who do you think you are? You’re not bigger than this football club.’”

Allardyce’s comments reflect a wider frustration among some former professionals who believe Salah’s public remarks have undermined the unity expected during a transitional period at Liverpool. In their view, regardless of a player’s legacy, internal disagreements should remain behind closed doors until contracts expire.

The controversy has been amplified by the timing of Liverpool’s season. Despite inconsistent performances, results elsewhere have effectively secured Champions League qualification for next season. A draw between Bournemouth and Manchester City ensured that Liverpool are now highly likely to finish inside the top five, meaning only a dramatic and unlikely set of results could deny them a place in Europe’s elite competition.

However, instead of focusing on the relief of qualification or celebrating Salah’s long service, attention has shifted toward his conduct and recent form.

Allardyce also referenced earlier incidents from the season, including a separate moment in which Salah expressed frustration after being benched during a 3–3 draw with Leeds. According to critics, these repeated episodes suggest a pattern of public dissatisfaction that contrasts with the expectations placed on senior players at a club of Liverpool’s stature.

“The spat he had at the start of the season has come back into the spotlight,” Allardyce continued. “And he’s still been poor since then as well, compared to what he used to deliver.”

He was particularly harsh when comparing Salah’s current performances with his peak years, arguing that the decline has been both visible and significant.

“Considering the player he was and what he used to be, he just hasn’t done it this season,” he said.

The criticism did not stop at performance alone. Allardyce also questioned Salah’s leadership approach, insisting that experienced players are expected to set an example, especially during periods of transition under a new manager.

“Players and managers can argue behind the scenes,” he said. “But they should never make it public. If Salah did that in the Sir Alex Ferguson days, he’d never play again. He’d be finished.”

His remarks reference the famously strict standards under former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, where internal discipline was considered non-negotiable and public dissent was rarely tolerated.

Behind the scenes at Liverpool, the situation is believed to be delicate. While the club has not publicly responded to Salah’s comments, there is an awareness that his final appearance at Anfield carries significant emotional weight. After nine years of service, multiple Golden Boots, a Champions League title, and a Premier League triumph, Salah is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the club’s modern history.

However, the recent tension has complicated what was originally intended to be a straightforward farewell celebration.

According to reports circulating around the club, discussions have taken place regarding how Salah should be received on the final day. While supporters remain overwhelmingly appreciative of his contributions, there is a growing sense among some internal figures that the focus should remain on team unity rather than individual narratives.

In an added twist, speculation emerged that Liverpool’s hierarchy had privately debated how to manage the situation if further public comments were made before the Brentford match. While no official action has been confirmed, suggestions that disciplinary measures could be considered have fuelled further media attention.

Fans have also been divided in their reactions. Many supporters continue to defend Salah, arguing that his legacy at the club is untouchable and that one difficult season should not overshadow years of world-class performances. Others, however, believe that public criticism of the manager’s system while still actively playing for the team risks undermining stability during an important transitional phase.

Social media has become a battleground of opinions, with clips of Salah’s goals being shared alongside heated debates about professionalism, loyalty, and leadership.

Inside the dressing room, sources suggest that teammates remain respectful of Salah’s achievements but are also focused on maintaining concentration ahead of the final match. The players are aware that Sunday represents not just an emotional farewell for a club legend, but also a chance to end the season on a stable note amid growing external noise.

For Arne Slot, the situation adds another layer of complexity to his first season in charge. Managing the transition from Klopp’s long-standing era was always expected to involve challenges, but handling the departure of a global superstar while addressing public criticism has made the process even more delicate.

Despite the controversy, there is still an expectation that Salah will receive a significant ovation at Anfield on his final appearance. His contribution to Liverpool’s recent history is undeniable, and many fans are preparing to say goodbye to one of the most iconic figures of the modern Premier League era.

Yet, as things stand, the build-up to that farewell is no longer defined solely by celebration. Instead, it has become a mixture of admiration, frustration, and debate — a reminder that even the greatest football stories can end with complexity rather than pure simplicity.

What should have been a straightforward goodbye has instead turned into a conversation about respect, authority, and the fine line between honesty and disruption.

And as Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on Anfield — not just to honour Mohamed Salah’s legacy, but to see how both player and club choose to close this final, complicated chapter together.