Mohamed Salah has done a Cristiano Ronaldo and there's no way back for him at Liverpool now

Ronaldo had been United's best player the previous campaign, the rare shining light in a campaign that saw them fall under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then outright collapse under Ralf Rangnick.

But his actions meant they had no choice but to show him the door. His contract was terminated and Ronaldo headed off to sunny Saudi, with fans left to mourn the fact that a Hollywood homecoming had turned into a dreadful disaster.

Fast-forward to now, and Mohamed Salah is in the spotlight. Having been forced to watch Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday night from the bench, he decided to let rip to reporters after the game at Elland Road. It's safe to say he didn't hold back.

The Liverpool legend, who has netted 250 goals for the club and won trophies such as the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield, extraordinary fumed: "I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.

"I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don't have any relationship.

"I don't know why but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club.

"It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.

"This club, I will always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I always will.

"It [the situation] is not acceptable to me, to be fair. I don't get it. It's like I'm being thrown more under the bus. I don't think I'm the problem. I have done so much for this club.

"I don't have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone but I earned my position. It's football. It is what it is."

Salah only signed a new Liverpool contract back in April, having propelled the club to title glory under Arne Slot with a stunning 29 Premier League goals.

But he suggested that his time at Anfield is drawing to a close. He added: "This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much. I will always do. I called my mum yesterday - you guys didn't know if I would start or not, but I knew.

"Yesterday I said to them, come to the Brighton game [on 13 December]. I don't know if I am going to play or not, but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I'm going to enjoy that game because I don't know what is going to happen now.

"I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go to Africa Cup of Nations. I don't know what is going to happen when I am there.

"In football you never know [if you have played your last game]. I don't accept this situation. I have done so much for this club."

It is a rant that has sent shockwaves through Liverpool. Their greatest player of the modern era has gone rogue. Unfortunately, there is no going back now.

Behind the scenes, there will be sadness. Salah returned to these shores in 2017 having previously struggled at Chelsea. He was unable to make any impact at Stamford Bridge but Liverpool provided him with a platform to show that he could strut his stuff among the best.

What he's done in the time since is nothing short of sensational. Not since Ronaldo himself has the Premier League seen a winger who can score goals with such unnerving consistency. He is a great of the game, an icon of the division, a forward whose exploits will still be discussed for many years to come.

But Salah has now burnt his bridges. A departure isn't just a possibility, it is inevitable.

Going back to the Ronaldo interview, his decision to publicly condemn Ten Hag meant there was no chance he could ever step back inside the dressing room at Carrington. After all, what message would that have sent to the rest of the squad if that had been allowed to happen?

Ronaldo and the Dutchman hadn't been on the same page since day one. Ten Hag wanted to play a high-pressing, high-octane style of football. A 37-year-old didn't fit that plan.

Now, neither does Salah.

He has every right to be frustrated but the goals simply haven't been there this term. He has netted just four times in the league, with others - such as Hugo Ekitike - stepping up instead.

Liverpool have become a circus. They won the title last term playing brilliant football but, now, will struggle to qualify for Europe. Even a place in the UEFA Conference League, at the current moment in time, is far from assured.

Slot has got plenty wrong but the Reds won't be sacking him just yet. Pressure is undoubtedly increasing, as are the calls for him to go, but the Liverpool board would prefer to wait and see how things play out. Just months ago, he was celebrating in Ibiza after steering them to the crown and finally ending Manchester City's dominance in the process.

It is an open secret that teams from Saudi want to sign Salah. They have done so for the best part of two years, with the Reds previously turning down an offer of £150million from Al-Ittihad back in the summer of 2023.

Now, however, there's no reason to keep him. It is best for all parties if they shake hands and head in opposite directions.

It is a sad end to Salah's glittering Liverpool spell. He's given his superiors no choice, however, and his decision to do a Ronaldo will now sit uncomfortably for many associated with the club.