Liverpool supporters are still trying to come to terms with the departure of Mohamed Salah. After nine unforgettable years at Anfield, the Egyptian superstar officially ended his journey with the Reds at the conclusion of the 2025/2026 season, leaving behind a legacy few players can match.
While many believed the decision was purely football-related, fresh comments from former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren have shed new light on the situation. According to the Croatian, Salah’s exit may have been heavily influenced by his deteriorating relationship with manager Arne Slot.
Lovren even went as far as claiming that Salah would have stayed at Liverpool if Slot had left the club before him.
Dejan Lovren Makes Bold Claim About Salah’s Exit
Few people know Mohamed Salah better than Dejan Lovren. The pair shared the dressing room for years and developed a close friendship during their time together at Liverpool.
Speaking in a recent interview, Lovren expressed his belief that Salah never truly wanted to leave Anfield under normal circumstances.
According to the former Liverpool defender, the outcome could have been very different if managerial changes had happened first.
“Yes, he would have stayed, 100 percent,” Lovren said.
The Croatian insisted Liverpool still needed Salah and argued that the winger remains capable of performing at the highest level for several more seasons.
For Lovren, suggestions that Liverpool no longer required Salah’s services simply do not make sense.
Why Lovren Believes Liverpool Still Needed Salah
Even in the final stages of his Liverpool career, Salah remained one of the club’s most influential players.
His contributions included:
- Consistent goal scoring.
- Match-winning performances in crucial fixtures.
- Leadership inside the dressing room.
- Experience in major competitions.
- Elite attacking output despite advancing age.
Many Liverpool fans shared Lovren’s view that Salah still had plenty to offer before considering a departure.
A Legendary Liverpool Career Comes to an End
Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool story is one of the greatest in modern football.
Since arriving from AS Roma in 2017, he transformed into one of the world’s most feared forwards and helped Liverpool return to the top of English and European football.
His achievements at Anfield include:
- Premier League title.
- UEFA Champions League trophy.
- FA Cup success.
- League Cup triumphs.
- FIFA Club World Cup victory.
- Numerous individual awards.
Beyond the trophies, Salah became a symbol of Liverpool’s resurgence under Jurgen Klopp.
His goals, assists, and unforgettable moments secured his place among the club’s all-time legends.
That is why his departure generated so much discussion among supporters and football analysts alike.
Reports of Tension Between Salah and Arne Slot
Although Liverpool enjoyed periods of success under Arne Slot, reports throughout the season suggested that Salah’s relationship with the Dutch manager was far from ideal.
Several incidents fueled speculation.
One of the most talked-about moments occurred when Salah was surprisingly left out against Leeds United in December 2025. The decision sparked widespread debate among fans and the media.
When later asked about his relationship with Slot, Salah delivered a response that raised eyebrows.
He admitted there was no longer a relationship between them, despite previously enjoying a positive connection.
That statement immediately intensified speculation that internal tensions were affecting Salah’s future at the club.
Behind-the-Scenes Issues Influenced the Decision
Ahead of Liverpool’s final match of the season against Brentford, Salah hinted that several factors behind the scenes contributed to his decision to leave.
Although he avoided revealing specific details, his comments suggested there was much more happening internally than supporters realized.
According to Salah, the timing finally felt right to move on after everything that had unfolded during the campaign.
Those remarks only strengthened the theory that footballing reasons were not the sole factor behind his departure.
For many observers, the situation appeared increasingly linked to his relationship with the manager rather than contractual or financial concerns.
Comparing Slot and Klopp
Lovren did not stop at discussing Salah’s exit.
The former defender also compared Arne Slot’s management style with that of Jurgen Klopp, under whom Liverpool experienced one of the most successful periods in club history.
According to Lovren, Klopp’s greatest strength was the trust he built with his players.
While disagreements occasionally occurred, mutual respect always remained intact.
Lovren explained that Klopp understood his players deeply, and the squad was willing to give everything on the pitch because of that connection.
In contrast, he believes the relationship between Salah and Slot lacked that same level of trust and understanding.
Key Differences Lovren Highlighted
- Strong personal connection under Klopp.
- Greater mutual trust between players and manager.
- Clear communication channels.
- Higher emotional investment from both sides.
- Better dressing-room harmony.
Whether fans agree with Lovren or not, his comments have reignited debate surrounding Slot’s management approach.
Was Liverpool’s Success Under Slot Misleading?
Another interesting point raised by Lovren involved Liverpool’s performance during Slot’s first season.
While many praised the manager for maintaining competitiveness, Lovren argued that Slot inherited a squad that was already well-established.
In his view, much of the team’s success stemmed from foundations built over several years rather than a complete tactical transformation.
That opinion may be controversial, but it reflects the perspective of someone who witnessed Liverpool’s evolution firsthand under Klopp.
A Sad Ending to an Extraordinary Journey
For Lovren, the most disappointing aspect of the entire situation is how Salah’s Liverpool career came to an end.
Few supporters expected the club’s modern icon to leave amid reports of tension and uncertainty.
Considering Salah still had another year remaining on his contract, many believed he would continue leading Liverpool’s attack for at least one more season.
Instead, one of the most successful partnerships in Premier League history came to a close sooner than expected.
Conclusion
Mohamed Salah’s departure from Liverpool remains one of the biggest football stories of 2026. While official explanations have remained limited, Dejan Lovren’s comments offer a fascinating insight into what may have happened behind the scenes.
If Lovren’s claims are accurate, the relationship between Salah and Arne Slot played a major role in shaping the Egyptian star’s decision. Whether Liverpool made the right choice will likely be debated for years, but one thing is certain: Salah’s legacy at Anfield is secure, and his impact on the club will never be forgotten.
ALSO READ :
