Exclusive: Steven Gerrard says Liverpool need ‘best player’ Mohamed Salah despite public outburst – ‘No-one’s perfect’
Updated 10/12/2025 at 17:38 GMT
React to this story
Steven Gerrard says Liverpool “need” Mohamed Salah despite the forward claiming he had been scapegoated by the Reds and had no relationship with Arne Slot. With Salah missing Liverpool's win in Milan and heading to AFCON, it has been suggested he has played his last game for the club. Liverpool legend Gerrard insisted Salah remained vital as Liverpool’s best scorer to end their poor form.
'Emotional' Salah will regret comments but Liverpool 'need' him back - Gerrard
Video credit: TNT Sports
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard insisted that the Reds "need" Mohamed Salah to turn their season around.
Last Saturday, Salah, one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, admitted he was "thrown under the bus" by the club, after being benched for three consecutive games.
The Egyptian added that he no longer has a relationship with manager Arne Slot and had been made out to be a scapegoat for the team's recent poor form.
It has been suggested that Salah, who did not travel for Tuesday’s 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Internazionale, may have played his last game for Liverpool. The attacker departs for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday and might not return to Liverpool until the transfer window opens on January 1.
However, Liverpool icon Gerrard defended Salah, insisting that Liverpool needed the 33-year-old to get out of their dismal run of form.
"He’s obviously really upset he’s not playing, which I respect," Gerrard told TNT Sports. "He won’t sit out of the team, which I respect. The couple of lines about throwing people under the bus [is] wrong. He needs to reverse a little bit away from that.
"He needs to deal with that with the manager. This needs Virgil van Dijk to go, 'How are we sorting this out for the benefit of not the club, or the team, but the fans?'"
Gerrard continued: "I’ve seen this and I’ve lived it. I lived it with [Luis] Suarez when he fell out with Brendan [Rodgers]. I’ve seen it all.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/09/image-50f4a397-fa6a-4d3d-a6c9-eebd004d076b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Szoboszlai penalty seals narrow Livepool win at Inter
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I’ve been there myself from a personal point of view. I did the Salah statement in 30 seconds against [Man] United when I got sent off. So no-one’s perfect.
"We’ve all had head losses as players. We’ve all done emotional things. And I know in time when this all calms Mo will go, ‘I shouldn’t have said that, I maybe shouldn’t have said that, I was a bit emotional, I was a bit hasty.’
"But at the end of the day, Liverpool football club needs Mo Salah, back playing well, back scoring goals, because he is the best player, the best scorer and he will help them get out of this. If this goes on this is bigger than what we all know and what we see."
Meanwhile, former England boss Glenn Hoddle was scathing of Salah’s comments, insisting that the player was only thinking of himself.
- Tchouameni defends Alonso, says squad 'have to do a better job'
- Frank: Spurs form 'completely natural' but needs to be 'so much better'
- Chelsea’s Disasi set for Lyon loan, Bayern look to extend Gnabry’s contract - Euro Transfer News
Hoddle explained: "It should have been done privately. He’s a wonderful player, and he’s been fantastic for Liverpool.
"Liverpool also, the form that they’re in, the most important thing is they get a result under their belt. He’s not thinking about the club, he’s thinking about himself.
"It’s the right decision. What happens from there on, if the manager thinks the team are going to get a really good win, that’s going to be a really good point to say we can go and win without you, Mo.
"At the end of the day, it’s the right decision, and I do hope Liverpool get a result, I’ve got to say."
Destination: Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Pro League chief executive Omar Mugharbel has confirmed that clubs from the division will be targeting Salah amid his uncertain future at Anfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still plying his trade at Al Nassr, as is the Egyptian's former Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho (Al Ittihad) and striker Darwin Nunez (Al Hilal) are also over in the Middle East.
Speaking at the World Football Summit in Riyadh, Mugharbel said: "For sure, Salah is one [a target].
"Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players."
Stream the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement