Steven Gerrard supports Mohamed Salah’s departure from Liverpool, citing ‘best interests’
Steven Gerrard has disclosed that he advised Mohamed Salah against leaving Liverpool “under a cloud” following the Egyptian’s public dispute with manager Arne Slot, emphasizing that it is in “everyone’s best interests” for him to depart.
Salah announced last week his intention to leave Anfield in the summer after agreeing to terminate his contract a year early.
The 33-year-old has faced a challenging season and stated during a post-match interview in December that he felt “thrown under the bus” by Slot, having been benched during a poor stretch of results.
Former Reds captain Gerrard believes it is the appropriate moment for Salah, who has netted 255 goals in 435 appearances for the club, to exit at the conclusion of the season.
“I spoke to him around that interview at the time and sort of said to him, ‘don’t do what you’ve done and go under a cloud,'” Gerrard mentioned while appearing on The Overlap podcast.
“I communicated with him directly. He texts me occasionally, or I text himβmostly related to if I’m going somewhere with Lio [Gerrard’s son], just so Lio can see him, really, but I’m not particularly close to him.
“But it provided me the chance to tell him, ‘look, you’ve been here eight, nine years, you’ve been king here, you’ve built this legacy, just leave on your terms, the right way.’
“He was still somewhat emotional from the incident. He was in and out of the team at that point, and he was upset. I just thought it would be unfortunate if he departed in January without a proper farewell.”
Reds head coach Slot stated on Wednesday that Salah will “leave the club a legend,” having secured two Premier League titles and the Champions League since his arrival from Roma in 2017.
Gerrard believes the forward may ultimately regret his candid interview, which followed his role as an unused substitute in a 3-3 draw against Leeds on Dec. 6.
When asked if he was surprised by the news of Salah’s impending departure, the 45-year-old responded: “No, not at all. I think it’s in everyone’s best interests now. I believe the timing is right.
“He has clearly had a disagreement with the manager. I am unsure of the specifics. He has done the interview, which I think he will regret in the future. But that indicated there was an issue present.”
Salah, who is set to become a free agent, has been associated with a move to the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer.
However, Gerrard would not be astonished to see him stay in Europe.
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“Knowing him, based on the relationship I have with him, he’ll still consider himself one of the best players in the world,” the former England midfielder stated.
“I believe that’s the reason for the fallout.
“He was likely struggling with the adjustment of a manager saying, ‘you’re not starting today,’ while he is thinking, ‘you what? Listen, I’m still one of the best players in the world.’
“I think that’s his mindset, and there are good players, top players, and then those at the very top who possess a unique mentality and perspective.
“He’s one of those, where he just thinks: I’m the best, I’m the best, I’m the best.”
