Mohamed Salah made headlines with a cryptic post on social media shortly after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on January 17, 2025, a result that left Liverpool six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Salah uploaded an image of himself and Darwin Nunez, who had just scored twice in injury time to give Liverpool a 2-0 victory over Brentford. The photo showed the two players in high spirits as they prepared for their flight back to Merseyside.
However, the post had no caption, which led many to speculate that the timing of the post was intentional, possibly aimed at rubbing salt into Arsenal’s wounds after their costly slip-up.
The game at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal race into a two-goal lead, with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. However, Aston Villa mounted a strong second-half comeback, with Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins scoring to level the game. The result was a significant blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes, leaving them six points behind Liverpool, who had a game in hand.
Salah’s post came just six minutes after the final whistle at the Emirates, fueling speculation that he was taking a veiled swipe at Arsenal. Fans on social media quickly picked up on the timing, with some calling it “s***housery” and others suggesting that Salah knew exactly what he was doing. While it’s unclear whether the post was intended as a message to Arsenal, it certainly added an extra layer of drama to an already tense title race.
The post also came amid growing speculation surrounding the futures of Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom are into the final six months of their contracts. Salah, in particular, has been linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia, although he has insisted that he wants to stay at Liverpool. However, the uncertainty surrounding their contracts has added a level of unpredictability to Liverpool’s season, even as they enjoy a commanding position at the top of the table.
While Liverpool’s title challenge is in full swing, Arsenal’s dropped points against Villa have put a significant dent in their hopes of winning the Premier League. The North London side must now regroup and address their defensive lapses if they are to remain competitive. As for Salah’s cryptic post, it served as a reminder of the fierce rivalry between the two clubs and the pressure that both sides are under as they chase the title.
