After Saturday’s Liverpool Legends match, Jerzy Dudek was asked about the big news this week — Mohamed Salah’s decision to leave at the end of the season.
The Champions League-winning goalkeeper was only on the pitch for 23 minutes against Borussia Dortmund as a 2-2 draw was played out at Anfield.
After discussing the feeling of returning to the field with the Reds, Dudek commented on Salah’s exit decision, making it clear that he supports the Egyptian and that a hero’s farewell is deserved.
What is your all-time favourite Mohamed Salah moment at Liverpool? ⚽
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
He also acknowledges the challenge that now faces Arne Slot and co.
Jerzy Dudek addresses Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool departure
The Salah news rocked Liverpool earlier this week. We knew there was a chance he would go, especially given the noticeable drop-off he has experienced, but to have it set in stone this early took many by surprise.
Dudek saw it coming, though, and he fully backs the decision.
As he said after the game (via This Is Anfield): “Yeah, I said it before, maybe six months or maybe more before that, that if he wants to leave, let him leave on his conditions. He deserves it.
Mohamed Salah kisses the Premier League trophy in front of the Liverpool crowd at Anfield.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
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“He’s an amazing player. Made so many people happy in his football career at Liverpool. Yeah, it’s always sad to see the greatest players leaving from the club.”
A player of this magnitude leaving the club will always leave a void, but it’s hardly the first time Liverpool have had to replace a legend.
Dudek remarks: “I met the guy in in the bus who was telling me about Sir Kenny, and he said he was thinking no one can replace Sir Kenny. It was tough. Then he said it was Stevie. It was tough to replace Stevie.
“And I think it will be tough to replace Mo Salah, the person generally and of course the football player, but we’re lucky to have him here for so many years and enjoy the goals, the assists, the performances he had.”
Liverpool’s list of Salah replacements grows and shrinks by the day, but it’s accepted by everyone that this is as important a recruitment decision as FSG will ever have to make.
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Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all…
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
World Cup aside, it’s promising to be a hectic summer for the Reds, who need to address many issues before the start of next season. Out of everything on the transfer to-do list, bringing a world-class winger to Anfield has to be at the very top.
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