Steven Gerrard defends Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool exit after Arne Slot fallout

Steven Gerrard has defended Mohamed Salah's decision to leave Liverpool a year before his contract expired, insisting players should prioritise enjoying their football and feeling valued by their manager.

Salah departed Anfield at the end of last season following a difficult final campaign that included a public falling-out with former manager Arne Slot.

The Egyptian had signed a two-year contract extension in April 2025 but subsequently requested an early release, eventually leaving as a free agent before joining Turkish club Trabzonspor in August.

Gerrard believes Salah was entitled to make that decision rather than remain at Liverpool simply because of his status as a club legend.

Speaking to SPORTbible, the former Liverpool captain was asked whether Salah should have stayed to complete his contract.

“I don’t think that every footballer necessarily has to finish their career at a club where they’ve shone for so long,” Gerrard said.

“I think what’s important when you get to the latter stages your career is that you continue to enjoy it; that a manager appreciates you; that you’re still starting football matches.”

Gerrard drew comparisons with his own departure from Liverpool in 2015, when he left for LA Galaxy after 17 seasons in the first team.

“I was in a similar situation myself with Brendan Rodgers and no hard feelings and all due respect,” he explained.

“I think it’s important that you see your career out where you’re enjoying it, you’re still playing and you’re still contributing and you feel important.”

Salah's relationship with Slot deteriorated during the previous campaign, although the pair reached a temporary understanding that allowed the forward to return to the team in December.

During the March international break, Salah publicly indicated that he intended to leave at the end of the season.

He eventually departed as Liverpool's third-highest goalscorer, having scored 257 goals for the club.

His subsequent move to Trabzonspor surprised many supporters, but Gerrard's comments suggest he sees no reason to criticise the Egyptian for choosing a different environment.

For the former captain, Salah's contributions to Liverpool remain more important than the circumstances surrounding his departure.

Salah will continue his career at Trabzonspor following his Liverpool departure, while Gerrard's comments offer a reminder that the circumstances of his exit do not diminish his achievements at Anfield.