Steven Gerrard has offered candid insight into Mohamed Salah’s impending departure from Liverpool, describing it as the right decision for both the player and the club. The former captain revealed details of his private exchanges with Salah following the Egyptian’s public fallout with manager Arne Slot last December, while stressing that the winger should end his nine‑year spell at Anfield on his own terms.
Salah, 33, confirmed last week that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. His decision closes a chapter marked by extraordinary success, including 255 goals that place him third on the club’s all‑time scoring list. The announcement came months after Salah accused Liverpool of betraying him and claimed he no longer had a relationship with Slot.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Gerrard said Salah’s departure is “in everyone’s best interests” and that the timing feels right. He acknowledged the winger’s disagreement with Slot, noting that Salah’s interview criticizing the club was something he might later regret. Gerrard suggested Liverpool initially planned to offer Salah only a one‑year extension but eventually agreed to two years due to his strong performances.
Despite that, Gerrard believes the situation has reached a natural conclusion. “At this level, I only saw it as a one‑year deal,” he explained, adding that Salah deserves to leave on his own terms after building a remarkable legacy at Anfield.
Gerrard disclosed that he contacted Salah directly after the controversial interview. He advised him not to repeat such actions and to ensure his exit remained dignified. Although Gerrard emphasized he is not close to Salah, he said they occasionally exchange text messages, often so his son Leo can see the Liverpool star.
“I told him, ‘You’ve been here eight or nine years, you came here and built this legacy. Just leave in the right way,’” Gerrard recalled.
Salah’s struggles this season contributed to the tension. He has scored only five goals in 22 Premier League matches, a sharp drop from his usual output. During Liverpool’s difficult winter run, Jürgen Klopp benched him, leading to Salah’s frustrated comments after a 3‑3 draw with Leeds in December. Gerrard noted that Salah was unsettled by being rotated in and out of the team, which
The former midfielder drew parallels with his own career, recalling clashes with Brendan Rodgers during his final years at Liverpool. He explained that aging players often find it hard to accept reduced roles, even when managers make decisions in the team’s best interest. Gerrard compared Salah’s situation to that of Jermain Defoe at Rangers, who also struggled with limited playing time despite being a model professional.
“As a manager, you have to do what’s right for the team,” Gerrard said. “If a player is off form or can’t deliver what you need, you have to make tough decisions.”
Salah’s departure marks the end of an era for Liverpool. Gerrard’s comments underline the complexity of the situation: a legendary player facing the realities of age and form, a manager making difficult choices, and a club preparing for the future. For Gerrard, the key is that Salah leaves with dignity, preserving the legacy he built over nearly a decade at Anfield.
