Mohamed Salah has already lost Liverpool ally with January transfer window on the horizon

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18:13, Sun, Dec 28, 2025 Updated: 18:24, Sun, Dec 28, 2025 Mohamed Salah has already lost one of his closest allies at Liverpool (Image: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah could be in for a chilly welcome when he returns from the Africa Cup of Nations, and there's one familiar face missing from the Reds' dressing room who might have smoothed his reintegration into the squad. Read our Privacy PolicySaudi clubs are once again rumoured to be interested in a winter transfer as Salah's relationship with Liverpool appears to be under strain, although it's understood the club aren't actively looking to sell.Egypt were the first team to book their spot in the AFCON knockout stages after winning their opening two group matches.This means Salah is guaranteed to be in Morocco until at least January 5, but his absence could extend by another two weeks if Egypt reach the final.The stage is set for an awkward reunion at Anfield, considering the incendiary nature of his comments after the recent draw at Leeds.And Tsimikas, who has fallen out of favour at Roma following a difficult opening six months in Italy, would have been a valuable confidant after The Athletic revealed how "tight" the duo were.Tsimikas, who has secured four major honours alongside Salah, offered fresh insight into the speculation surrounding his mate's potential departure last summer when the Egyptian was heavily courted by Saudi Arabian clubs.His remarks suggested he possessed inside information about Salah's thinking, highlighting the strength of their friendship.Kostas Tsimikas has spoken very highly of his former Reds team-mate (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)"When he [Salah] said he felt he was more outside than inside the team, it was true, the chances of him staying were 10-20 per cent, it wasn't more," Tsimikas told Sport 24 in June."If they didn't give him what he wanted, Mo wouldn't sit back, he would leave, but he wanted to stay, because he loves the team, he loves the people."He likes it here very much, his family has been here for so many years, it's a difficult step to leave.

With the season he had, it was only a matter of time before they gave him what he wanted and he stayed."Tsimikas also revealed the depth of his bond with Salah during his early days at Anfield. He even labelled the forward as one of his "best mates" at the club after just 12 months on Merseyside."Mo is one of my best mates here.

Always when I want something, he was always there for me to help me," he shared in 2021."I don't want to speak about the player – he's fantastic. He was there when I wanted him and needed him to tell me what the manager wants."He was always there to help me and we are very good friends, and we spend a lot of time here in the training ground together, and we have a lot of chats."