Gerrard Cautioned Salah Against Messy Liverpool Departure

"Don't leave on bad terms." That's the advice Steven Gerrard gave Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian forward's December media outburst nearly transformed what should have been a graceful departure into a contentious situation.

Speaking on Stick to Football, Gerrard disclosed that he reached out to Salah personally following the controversial interview where the Liverpool star accused the club of not supporting him properly. The former Reds captain maintains that Salah will eventually regret that outburst, no matter how the remainder of the campaign unfolds.

The writing was already on the wall regarding Salah's exit. According to Gerrard, Liverpool initially wanted to extend Salah's contract by just one year instead of the two-year deal he ultimately signed last season. The current situation—with Salah leaving midway through that agreement—was essentially predetermined before signatures were even finalized.

December drama nearly derailed everything

What made the December incident particularly precarious for Liverpool was its timing. Salah found himself on the bench, visibly unhappy, and the Africa Cup of Nations presented a potential scenario where he might never wear the Liverpool kit again. Manager Arne Slot handled the situation with composure, treating the controversy as a minor setback and ensuring Salah maintained the opportunity for a proper farewell. That demonstrated intelligent leadership during a tense period.

The outcome means Salah receives the sendoff he's earned. Nine seasons at Anfield, highlighted by a Champions League trophy, two FA Cups, and a Premier League championship. Former Liverpool defender Martin Škrtel, who departed the club a year before Salah's 2017 arrival from Roma, summed it up perfectly: "Mo leaves a legacy behind him." That's an understatement.

Where he's heading—and why Europe seems unlikely

Bayern Munich have already backed away from pursuing the forward. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona don't represent realistic options given Salah's age and salary requirements. That narrows his choices to Saudi Arabia or Major League Soccer, and Gerrard—who both managed Al Ettifaq and played for LA Galaxy—offered a frank assessment of the competitive standards in both leagues.

His evaluation of the Saudi Pro League: the top four teams compare to lower-tier Premier League or upper Championship squads. MLS, he indicated, doesn't even measure up to that benchmark. Salah will certainly receive substantial compensation in either league. Whether the competition will genuinely challenge him remains an entirely separate matter.

"He'll regret it," Gerrard remarked about the December controversy. Perhaps. But what truly counts now is how the farewell unfolds in May—and currently, it's shaping up to be the proper goodbye Salah has earned through his contributions.