Steven Gerrard Reveals Private Advice to Salah: Do Not Leave Liverpool Under a Cloud
Steven Gerrard has revealed that he personally contacted Mohamed Salah. Our top scorers guide examines how elite forwards define eras during the Egyptian's public fallout with Liverpool manager Arne Slot, advising him not to let his final months at the club be defined by controversy. The Liverpool legend's intervention came as Salah's relationship with the management reached its lowest point.
The Conversation
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, Gerrard disclosed the nature of his communication with Salah. The former England captain, who himself experienced a difficult departure from Anfield after his slip against Chelsea in 2014, understood the importance of leaving with dignity intact.
Gerrard's advice centred on legacy preservation. He told Salah: "Look, you've been here eight, nine years, you've been king here, you've got this legacy, just go on your terms, the right way." The message reflected Gerrard's own regrets about how his Liverpool career ended, lessons he was passing on to a player whose contribution to the club equals his own.
The Fallout with Slot
Salah's relationship with Arne Slot deteriorated through the season, reaching a nadir in December when the forward was repeatedly left on the bench. The infamous interview following a draw with Leeds saw Salah publicly criticise the club and accuse them of throwing him "under the bus."
The outburst, while understandable from an emotional perspective, risked defining Salah's final months at Liverpool. A player who had been adored unconditionally suddenly faced questions about professionalism and loyalty. Gerrard, recognising the danger, reached out.
The Legacy Question
Salah's Liverpool record speaks for itself: 255 goals in 435 appearances. See our Premier League team analysis for Liverpool's profile, third on the all-time scoring list behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. The contribution to the club's 2020 Premier League title, their first in 30 years, ensures his place in Liverpool's pantheon of greats.
Yet departures matter. Players who leave bitterly are remembered differently than those who exit with grace. Gerrard himself experienced this, his final season clouded by that slip and the disappointment of missing out on the title. He did not want Salah to make similar mistakes.
Gerrard's Own Exit
Gerrard's departure from Liverpool in 2015 was bittersweet. After a career that had brought Champions League glory and numerous individual honours, he left for LA Galaxy rather than signing a new contract. The circumstances, while not acrimonious, lacked the celebration his service deserved.
That experience informed his advice to Salah. Gerrard knows that how a career ends affects how it is remembered. Players who leave gracefully become legends; those who depart amid controversy become cautionary tales.
The Best Interests Verdict
Gerrard ultimately endorsed Salah's decision to leave Liverpool this summer, suggesting it serves "everyone's best interests." This assessment reflects the reality of the situation: the relationship between player and management has broken down beyond repair. Continuing would benefit neither party.
At 33, Salah retains the quality to be a decisive player at the highest level. The transfer window impact guide explains how departures reshape squads. His goalscoring record this season, while below previous standards, still compares favourably with most Premier League forwards. A move to the Saudi Pro League or MLS would provide financial security and a new challenge.
Understanding Salah's Mentality
Gerrard's analysis of Salah's psychology proved illuminating. He suggested that the Egyptian's supreme self-belief, which has been central to his success, also made it difficult to accept reduced status. When Slot began benching him, Salah interpreted this as disrespect rather than rotation.
This mentality is common among elite performers who have achieved greatness through unwavering confidence in their abilities. Salah genuinely believes he remains one of the world's best players, and being told otherwise by a manager's selection decisions created cognitive dissonance that manifested as public frustration.
A Bridge Too Far?
Whether Gerrard's intervention successfully repaired Salah's reputation with Liverpool supporters remains to be seen. The final weeks of the season will provide opportunities for the player to demonstrate commitment to the cause, regardless of personal disappointments.
If Salah can finish the season professionally, scoring goals and helping Liverpool achieve their objectives, he will leave as the hero he has been for nearly a decade. If the frustration continues to surface, the legacy will be complicated by these final chapters.
Gerrard, having navigated similar waters, has done what he can. The rest is up to Salah.