LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Mohamed Salah will say goodbye to Liverpool on Sunday, but in what manner remains unclear after manager Arne Slot wouldn't commit to the Egypt star playing against Brentford in their Premier League season finale at Anfield.
Salah, one of the club’s greatest-ever scorers, forced the question with his public criticism of Liverpool's style of play after a 4-2 loss to Aston Villa last Friday. He called for a return to the “heavy metal attacking” that struck fear in opponents.
The outburst — Salah's second public rift with Slot this season — adds extra drama as the team is also trying to secure Champions League qualification.
Slot was asked on Friday if Salah will definitely be involved against Brentford.
“I never say anything about team selection,” Slot responded. “It would be a surprise to you if I did this right now, I think.”
In March, the 33-year-old Salah announced he'd be leaving at the end of the season after reaching an agreement with the club to end his contract one year early.
Salah’s production has dipped in his ninth year at Anfield, to such an extent that he was dropped for a stretch of games late last year — leading to the winger telling reporters that the club “has thrown me under the bus.”
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Liverpool's manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in Birmingham, England, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah runs during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool in Birmingham, England, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Big names were left out of England’s World Cup squad on Friday, with Phil Foden and Cole Palmer the most notable omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s roster.
There was no place either for Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold or Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
Maguire confirmed on Thursday he would not be going to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, saying he was “shocked and gutted” not to be included. There were further shock waves among England fans when it became clear that more Premier League stars had been dropped.
“It has been a tough process to decide on the nomination, but I have full belief in this group of players,” said England coach Tuchel. “They all deserve their place. The squad and everyone involved with the team will give all we can to make the country proud... we hope for a very special summer.”
Manchester City forward Foden was the double player of the year in England just two years ago. Chelsea's Palmer was one of England's star players at the European Championship in 2024 — scoring in the final against Spain.
But both players endured disappointing seasons with their clubs and ultimately paid the price by failing to make the cut for Tuchel's 26-man squad.
England's top players — Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice — were all included.
A surprise inclusion was Ivan Toney, who has only played once for his country since moving to the Saudi league after Euro 2024.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has also been included after making a late run in the second half of the season.
Mainoo had been an emerging figure at the Euros, but lost his England place after being pushed to the fringes at United under former coach Ruben Amorim. He was reinstated to the first team when Michael Carrick took over in January and has been a driving force in United's rise to third in the Premier League, which has secured a return to the Champions League.
Arsenal's Premier League title winners Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke will be going to their first World Cup and Marcus Rashford — dropped from Euro 2024 — is going to another major international tournament after rebuilding his career at Barcelona this season.
Foden has been regularly selected by Tuchel since the German coach took charge of England in January 2025 and his most recent appearances came during the last international window in March.
He started every game on England's run to the final of the last Euros, which it lost 2-1 to Spain.
But he has rarely started for City since the turn of the year as his form has dipped and he was a non-playing substitute in last week's FA Cup final victory.
Palmer, who was the young player of the year in England in 2024 and inspired Chelsea to triumph the Club World Cup last year, was seen as one of the country's brightest stars. Like Foden, he has also struggled for consistency this season and hasn't scored in his last 14 games for club and country.
England World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford
Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins
James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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FILE -England's head coach Thomas Tuchel looks on before the start of the International friendly soccer match between England and Japan in London, March 31, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
Chelsea's Cole Palmer wipes his nose during the English FA Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City in London, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Pelham)
