‘Kissed & Made Up’: Revitalised Mohamed Salah Tipped to Have Major Impact at Liverpool in Second Half of Season

Michael Owen Hails Liverpool’s ‘Stroke of Genius’ Handling of Mohamed Salah Saga

In football, disagreements are rarely quiet, rarely subtle and almost never forgotten. When Mohamed Salah publicly vented his frustration at Liverpool back in early December, it felt like the beginning of a messy and very public divorce. Angry words, bruised egos and a fanbase split down the middle — all the ingredients were there.

Fast forward a few weeks, and the mood around Anfield feels very different.

According to Michael Owen, Liverpool and their Egyptian superstar appear to have “kissed and made up”, with Salah now tipped to play a decisive role in the second half of the season. What once looked like a relationship beyond repair is now being hailed as a potential “stroke of genius” by the club’s hierarchy.

Sometimes, football really does move that fast.

Salah’s Explosive Outburst That Shook Anfield

Arne Slot Mohamed Salah Liverpool 2025-26

The flashpoint came on December 6. Mohamed Salah, benched by new head coach Arne Slot, did not hide his displeasure. Far from it. In unusually blunt terms, the Liverpool icon suggested his working relationship with Slot had broken down and accused the club of effectively throwing him “under the bus”.

For a player who has built his Liverpool legacy on professionalism, consistency and quiet excellence, the comments landed hard.

At that point, Salah had only recently signed a two-year contract extension. The timing made the situation even more awkward. Was this a moment of raw frustration? Or the first step towards the end of his Anfield journey?

Within days, Salah was dropped entirely for a Champions League clash against Inter. Transfer speculation went into overdrive. Saudi clubs circled. European heavyweights watched closely. For the first time in years, the idea of a Liverpool team without Mohamed Salah felt very real.

From Fallout to Forgiveness

What followed, however, was fascinating.

Salah was eased back into the fold rather than frozen out. He came off the bench to provide an assist in a Premier League win over Brighton — a small moment, but an important one. There were no icy handshakes, no public snubs. Then, just as the story threatened to spiral again, Salah departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.

And that, according to Owen, may have been Liverpool’s masterstroke.

Speaking to GOAL, Owen believes the club’s handling of the situation has quietly defused what could have become a season-defining circus.

“They have almost kissed and made up,” Owen explained. “Mo has played at Anfield in the meantime. When he comes back from AFCON, it’s not going to be the frenzy that it could have been.”

In football terms, absence really can make the heart grow fonder — or at least allow tempers to cool.

A ‘Stroke of Genius’ from Liverpool

Owen admitted he was surprised by how quickly Salah was reintroduced after his comments. But with hindsight, he believes it may have been inspired.

“I was surprised, actually, that they brought him back in so soon,” Owen said. “Having done that now, it actually looks like a stroke of genius in many ways.”

Why? Because the drama has lost momentum.

Had Salah remained sidelined, every return would have been scrutinised. Every touch would have been analysed. Every press conference would have been dominated by questions about his future. Instead, Liverpool quietly took the sting out of the saga.

Now, when Salah returns from AFCON, it will feel less like a showdown and more like business as usual.

Or at least, as close to it as football ever gets.

Honour the Contract or Seek a New Challenge?

The big question remains: will Salah see out his contract, or is an exit inevitable?

Owen believes the former is more likely.

“I can see him seeing it out,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended, but if I was a betting man, I would say that he will see it out.”

Context matters. Liverpool’s situation has changed rapidly since December. Injuries have ravaged the forward line. Alexander Isak is facing a long-term layoff. Hugo Ekitike has suffered a short-term setback. Mohamed Salah suddenly looks less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

Liverpool’s Attacking Crisis Changes Everything

A few weeks ago, Liverpool were spoiled for choice. Now, they are scrambling.

Owen painted a stark picture: “A year or so ago it was an embarrassment of riches. So many attacking players. Now it’s almost like, ‘oh my goodness, who is going to score?’”

With Diogo Jota’s tragic situation, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz no longer at the club, and Salah away on international duty, Liverpool have found themselves relying on players operating out of position.

“I watched the game the other day and looked at the team before the game thinking, ‘who is going to score a goal?’” Owen admitted. “Mo Salah is a banker. Liverpool haven’t got that.”

In elite football, goals are currency. Salah prints them.

Mohamed Salah Kenny Dalglish Steven Gerrard Liverpool 2026

Why Salah Still Matters More Than Ever

For all the talk of tactics, transitions and new eras, football often comes back to simple truths. Salah guarantees goals. He guarantees fear in opposition defences. He guarantees belief inside his own dressing room.

“There is nobody that naturally fits on that right-hand side either,” Owen pointed out. “Liverpool will really need him.”

What once looked like the perfect time to cash in has passed. The market opportunity is gone. The squad balance has shifted. Liverpool now need Salah more than Salah needs Liverpool — at least in the short term.

That changes the power dynamic significantly.

Revitalised and Reinvigorated After AFCON?

Owen expects Salah to return from AFCON not distracted, but hungry.

“I can see him coming back reinvigorated and ready to make a big difference,” he said.

International tournaments have often sharpened Salah rather than dulled him. The pride of representing Egypt, the responsibility of carrying a nation — these moments tend to bring out his best.

Liverpool will be hoping the same happens again.

Did Salah Tarnish His Legendary Status?

In the immediate aftermath of Salah’s comments, there was talk that he had damaged his legacy. That his place alongside Liverpool greats like Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Steven Gerrard had been compromised.

Owen is having none of it.

“I think he will still stand alongside them,” he said. “Everybody makes the odd mistake in life.”

Rather than seeing Salah’s outburst as betrayal, Owen views it as passion — albeit poorly expressed.

“He was frustrated that he’s not playing,” Owen explained. “That’s not the biggest crime in the world, is it?”

In an era where players down tools, force moves and hold clubs to ransom, Salah’s frustration stemmed from wanting to play — not wanting out.

“That’s actually quite refreshing,” Owen added.

Passion, Not Poison

Salah crossed a line. Even his biggest supporters accept that. But football dressing rooms are full of egos, ambition and emotion. Silence is not always a virtue.

“It’s the attitude you want players to have,” Owen said. “Every single player should be thinking that. It’s just that Mo Salah said it.”

The mistake wasn’t the feeling. It was voicing it publicly.

Liverpool Waiting, Watching, Hoping

For now, Liverpool wait. Salah and Egypt face Ivory Coast in the AFCON quarter-finals this weekend. Back on Merseyside, the Reds prepare for an FA Cup tie against Barnsley, fresh from a hard-earned 0-0 draw away at league leaders Arsenal.

They remain unbeaten in 10 matches. The title race is alive. The season is delicately poised.

And Mohamed Salah, once the centre of a storm, may yet be the calm at its heart.

Sometimes, football stories don’t end with a bang or a breakup. Sometimes, they end with a quiet reconciliation — kissed, made up, and ready for one more run together.