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Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has disclosed that he spoke with Mohamed Salah after the star striker accused the club of making him a scapegoat, urging him not to depart "on bad terms."
Salah's departure from Liverpool has been confirmed for the close of the season, at the midpoint of a fresh two-year deal he put pen to paper on 12 months ago.
However, following inflammatory remarks made to journalists in early December — triggered by his frustration at being dropped from the starting lineup — it briefly seemed possible that the Egyptian international could have headed to the Africa Cup of Nations and secured a January transfer, potentially never featuring for Liverpool again.
Appearing on Stick to Football, Gerrard said he believes Salah will eventually look back on that moment with "regret." "That told me something wasn't right. Going back before that, I think Liverpool as a club probably only wanted to offer Mo Salah [a contract for] one year rather than two.
"It's in everyone's best interests for it to end, but also on Mo Salah's terms. I spoke to him around the time of that interview [in December] and said, 'Look, don't do what you've done and leave under a cloud.'"
Arne Slot, who bore the brunt of Salah's public criticism, handled the situation with composure and was swift to declare it water under the bridge — for the benefit of the club in the second half of the campaign. As a result, Salah will have the chance to enjoy a proper send-off.
Liverpool Fans 'Have to Accept' Salah Exit
Former Liverpool defender Škrtel has paid tribute to Salah's contribution over the past nine years. The two never shared a dressing room, with the Slovakian departing 12 months before Salah arrived from Roma in 2017, yet that hasn't stopped him recognizing "one of the greatest players in Liverpool history."
Škrtel told The Football Historian following a recent Legends match: "Obviously he's decided to leave and we have to accept it, we wish him all the best for the future, but obviously we'll miss him.
"But that's football — players leave and new ones arrive — but Mo definitely leaves a lasting legacy and I'm just glad he wore our shirt. I wish him nothing but good luck going forward."
Gerrard Warns Salah About Potential Next Move
There is currently no clarity on what lies ahead for Salah. Bayern Munich have already distanced themselves from speculation about a move, while a switch to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, or any other top European club seems unlikely to materialize.
Salah looks set for either Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League, where he would command a substantial salary in either destination. However, Gerrard — who had a brief stint at LA Galaxy after leaving Liverpool in 2015 and later managed Al Ettifaq — has stopped short of endorsing the quality of those leagues.
"[Saudi Arabia] want [Cristiano] Ronaldo around for elite standards and they want people playing with him, playing against him, and those types of players they believe will raise their own level," he continued.
"[It's] difficult to assess the middle and the bottom of that league, but the top I would say is probably lower Premier League, top Championship [standard]. I think the top four teams would comfortably be stronger than MLS sides. [Al Ettifaq] played friendlies against some of the MLS teams, and we were very comfortable against them, and we weren't even a top team."