Steven Gerrard Speaks Out on Mohamed Salah's Liverpool Departure
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has publicly addressed the impending exit of Mohamed Salah from the club, revealing details of a private conversation he had with the Egyptian winger during a bitter dispute with manager Arne Slot last December. Gerrard asserts that Salah's departure, announced last week, is "in everyone's best interests" and believes the timing aligns perfectly with the club's long-term strategy.
The Fallout and Gerrard's Intervention
In December, Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" and claimed his relationship with Slot had deteriorated significantly. This public outburst followed a period where the 33-year-old was dropped from the starting lineup during a challenging winter spell for the Reds. Gerrard, who maintains occasional contact with Salah via text messages, revealed he directly advised the player to avoid leaving "under a cloud" and to protect his legacy at Anfield.
"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 explained in an interview with The Overlap. "You've been here for eight or nine years, you've come here and got this legacy. Just go on your terms the right way."
Timing and Contract Considerations
Gerrard highlighted that Liverpool initially intended to offer Salah only a one-year contract extension, but his exceptional performance and impressive statistics during the previous season prompted the club to grant a two-year deal. However, the former captain expressed his belief that a one-year commitment was more appropriate at this stage of Salah's career.
"For me, I only ever saw it as a one-year at that level," Gerrard stated. "We've all played in those years and I just think for everyone, it's in everyone's [best] interest for it to end, but also end on Mo Salah's terms."
Salah's Form and Managerial Perspectives
This season, Salah has struggled to maintain his usual scoring prowess, netting just five Premier League goals in 22 appearances. This dip in form contributed to Slot's decision to bench the winger, which ultimately triggered the public disagreement. Gerrard, drawing from his own managerial experience at Rangers, expressed understanding of both the player's frustration and the manager's difficult decisions.
"I understand both sides of it," Gerrard noted. "Now that I've done a bit of managing myself, I understand both sides of it. As a manager, you have to do what's right and what's best for the team."
Personal Parallels and Professional Insights
Gerrard recalled a similar situation during his own playing career when he clashed with former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers toward the end of his 17-year tenure at Anfield. He also referenced managing veteran striker Jermain Defoe at Rangers, who similarly desired more playing time despite being in the latter stages of his career.
"I had a similar thing with Brendan," Gerrard reflected. "But when I look back at it now, I'm out of the game and less emotional, you understand it from where Brendan is. Maybe you're not the same player at 34 or 35."
Salah, who ranks as Liverpool's third-highest goalscorer with 255 strikes, will conclude his illustrious nine-year spell at Anfield at the season's end. Gerrard emphasized that despite the recent tensions, it would have been regrettable if Salah had departed abruptly in January, and the current arrangement allows for a more dignified conclusion to his remarkable Liverpool legacy.
