Manager Jurgen Klopp chose a quiet Friday morning, the day before the FA Cup tie with Norwich, to announce an unforeseen departure. Meanwhile, after scoring against Manchester United in Liverpool's 3-0 win, Mohamed Salah declared: "This is my last year at the club."
In that context, The Kop successfully recruited Federico Chiesa from Juventus, who is likely to replace Salah's role later.
And perhaps more than anyone else, Man United would be the most delighted to see the Egyptian leave Anfield. The 32-year-old has scored 14 goals in his last 10 appearances against the Red Devils. More remarkably, after only 3 goals in his last 11 games for Klopp, Salah has 3 goals in 3 games under Arne Slot.
"There are many 'ifs' but at this moment Salah is one of us and I am really, really happy that he is one of us. He plays very well. I don't talk about the player's contract, but I can talk for hours about how Mohamed Salah played today. But do you care about that?" - Slot said.
Director of football Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) football managing director Michael Edwards - who were expected to speak about Salah's contract - have remained silent, as have Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
All of this is obviously difficult to explain. If Slot stays at Anfield for a second season, it could see three of Liverpool 's biggest stars depart. After rejecting a £150m offer from Saudi Arabia, the Reds could lose Salah for free.
In the case of Salah and Van Dijk, Liverpool are showing their long-term vision. In other words, the complete opposite of Man United. If Salah and Diaz were the best players at Old Trafford, the worst on the pitch was Man United's Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder was signed to a four-year contract when he was in his 30s. FSG want to prevent such costly mistakes.
The Kop are often reluctant to hand players over 30 long-term, lucrative contracts, which led to the departure of Gini Wijnaldum, with FSG perhaps feeling vindicated by the Dutchman's recent poor form.
They may also regret the four-year contract they gave Jordan Henderson, even though he moved to Al-Ettifaq. Liverpool also did not renew the contracts of Roberto Firmino and James Milner, despite Klopp wanting to keep two of his favourite players.
Salah and Van Dijk are now among Liverpool's oldest players and earn huge wages. But the Egyptian, with his impressive physique and still quick feet, is proving to be an exception to many of the rules. Salah remains a Liverpool mainstay while Firmino and Sadio Mane have long since left Anfield.
Liverpool are likely to wait and see if Salah loses his form as he approaches his 33rd birthday. However, the longer the delay, the closer Salah gets to his Anfield exit, and the more inexplicable it becomes.
