Gerrard Reveals He Convinced Salah Not to Leave After Controversial Interview

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has revealed he had a frank conversation with Mohamed Salah after a controversial interview where the Egyptian accused the club of not keeping promises and "throwing him under the bus." Salah made these comments after a draw with Leeds in December, following Arne Slot's decision to bench him. After this conflict, there were expectations that the winger might leave during the January transfer window. Gerrard disclosed that he advised Salah against leaving at that particular moment, as it would tarnish the legacy the Egyptian had built over nine years.

Last week, Salah officially announced his departure from the club at the end of the season, a move Stevie G believes is the most opportune for both parties.

“I spoke to him about that interview and told him: ‘Don’t do what you did again, and don’t discredit yourself.’ I spoke to him directly. He texts me sometimes, or I text him, which is more often when I’m going somewhere with my son Leo so he can see him. But I’m not really that close to him. But it gave me an opportunity to say to him: ‘Look, you’ve been here for eight, nine years, you’re a king here, you have this legacy, just do things the right way.’ He was still a bit emotional from the incident. At that time, he was in and out of the team, he was upset. I just thought it would be a shame if he left in January and did so without a proper farewell.

I think the separation at the end of the season will be in everyone’s best interest. In my opinion, the timing is right. Especially considering there was some disagreement with the manager. I don’t know to what extent, but because of that, he gave that interview, which I think he will regret later. But that suggests to me there’s an issue there. I also think that even before that, the club wanted to give Mo a new contract for only one year, not two. But because of his exceptional past season, they offered him a two-year deal,” Gerrard stated on The Overlap podcast.