In a lively Cairo cafe, once packed with fans for Liverpool matches, Mohamed Salah’s absence has led his Egyptian supporters to choose card games or scrolling their phones over watching the Reds.
Renowned as one of the world’s top footballers, Salah criticized manager Arne Slot after being benched for three games in a row.
Beloved as the ‘Egyptian king,’ Salah expressed feeling ‘betrayed’ by the club he’s been with for seven-and-a-half years.
This sparked a global divide among Liverpool fans, but in Cairo, loyalties were clear, leaving Tuesday’s Champions League match against Inter Milan largely ignored.
“We’re upset, naturally,” said Adel Samy, 40, a devoted Salah fan, who recalls the cafe bustling with fans during Salah’s matches.
That evening, only a few patrons occupied the worn-out tables—some engrossed in their phones, others playing cards, paying little attention to the screen.
“He doesn’t deserve this,” Samy told AFP.
Islam Hosny, 36, co-managing the family cafe, noted how the street used to be filled with standing fans whenever Salah played.
“The cafe was as packed as an Ahly-Zamalek derby,” he remarked to AFP, referencing Egypt’s intense football rivalry.
“Now, knowing he’s not playing, no one comes.”
At a corner table, a customer discreetly asks to switch to a different match.
‘Time to move on’
Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has been pivotal in the club’s return to European football glory, contributing to two Premier League titles, a Champions League victory, and other significant wins.
With 250 goals in 420 games, he ranks as Liverpool’s third-highest scorer and is seen as Egypt’s most significant sports export.
This season, however, Salah’s performance has waned, with five goals in 19 matches, as Liverpool struggles, sitting eighth in the Champions League with 12 points.
In Cairo’s Shoubra neighborhood cafe, fans felt a deep disappointment.
“Even stars like Ronaldo and Messi have slumps,” said Mohamed Abdelaziz, 40, “but they still play.”
Shady Hany, 18, expressed disbelief, “How can a player like Salah be benched for so long?” he told AFP. “It’s time for Salah to move on.”
Slot said on Monday he wasn’t sure if Salah would play for Liverpool again.
Salah, set to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations after next weekend’s game against Brighton, has 18 months left on his £400,000-a-week contract signed in April.
Saudi clubs are eyeing Salah for the winter transfer window, a source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) revealed to AFP.
Al-Ittihad, who had a £150-million offer turned down two years ago, and Al-Hilal are tracking developments, while Aramco-backed Al Qadsiah is also interested.
Yet, Egyptian sports analyst Hassan Khalafallah believes Salah’s priorities differ.
“If money was his focus, he would have accepted earlier Gulf offers,” he told AFP.
“Salah values his career and legacy.”
Salah’s journey from Nagrig in the Nile Delta to global fame at Anfield has inspired millions.
His rise is a classic underdog tale—from Egypt’s El Mokawloon, to Switzerland’s Basel, a challenging time at Chelsea, resurgence at AS Roma, and becoming one of the Premier League’s greats.
“Salah is an Egyptian icon we’re all proud of,” said Hany.
“Saudi Arabia is about money, but Salah deserves more. He still has much to achieve.”
