Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has revealed he spoke with Mohamed Salah
Steven Gerrard says he spoke with Mohamed Salah on the phone after his explosive interview.
Steven Gerrard says he spoke with Mohamed Salah on the phone after his explosive interview.(Image: The Overlap)
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Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has revealed he had a frank phonecall with winger Mohamed Salah at the time of the Egyptian's bombshell interview, earlier this season. The Reds winger accused figures of throwing him under the bus following their poor start to the season.
The Reds have been nowhere near the level they were during Arne Slot's first season in charge, with Salah scoring 29 goals and registering eight assists in the title-winning campaign in 2024-25. He was awarded for that fine form with a two-year extension, but has since announced he'll depart the club this summer, midway through his contract.
Speaking on The Overlap, when asked if he was surprised by Salah's decision to leave the club, Gerrard said: "No, not at all. I think it's in everyone's best interests. I think the timing is right in my opinon.
"Especially after the - he's obviously had a disagreement with the manager. I don't know at what level but he's done the interview which I think he'll regret further down the line.
"But that told me there was an issue there. I think also, even going back before that, Liverpool as a football club only wanted to give Mo Salah one year. Rather than the two, but because he had such an outstanding season and his numbers were great, they have given him a two-year.
"For me, I only ever saw it as a one-year at that level. 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.
"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.' I spoke to him direct.
"He texts me now and again, or I text him, more to do if I'm going somewhere with Leo. Just so Leo can see him. I'm not close to him, but it gave me the opportunity to say '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'."
When asked by Ian Wright how Salah responded to that conversation, Gerrard revealed: "Still a little emotional from the incident. He was sub and in and out of the team at the time. He was upset.
"But, I just thought it would have been a shame if he'd left in January and just left."
Gary Neville asked Gerrard if it was a consideration at the time, the former Reds midfielder said: "I'm not sure, I don't know."
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