Dejan Lovren has stepped in to defend Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian’s departure from Liverpool, suggesting that much of the blame lies with Arne Slot.
Salah is leaving Anfield this summer, and Slot has also moved on. While their first campaign together was wildly successful, this past year saw questions arise over Salah’s form, future and his relationship with the manager.
Lovren, who played alongside Salah at Liverpool and remains close to him, does not believe the forward wanted his time at the club to end the way it did.
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Dejan Lovren on Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot’s relationship
Speaking to WinWin, Lovren said: “He never expected to end his career like this, and he knows I know, and everyone knows that, but, as I told you before, football is unpredictable.
“Maybe if Klopp had stayed another year or two, he might have left in a much better way. But, you know… this is how it happened.”
Lovren went further, suggesting the issues were not down to the club’s hierarchy, but instead centred on the manager.
He added: “I don’t think it’s the management; I think it’s just one person, and I think it’s just the manager… They didn’t have a good relationship. Let’s put it simply.
“With Klopp, he had a really good relationship. It wasn’t always perfect, but they knew each other very well, let’s say that too, and they trusted each other, they liked each other, and Mo gave everything on the pitch for Klopp, and Klopp gave him that trust.
“But with Slot it was the opposite. It’s that simple, and everyone knows it because when you look at the previous eight or nine seasons, he did really well.”
Lovren also pushed back on the idea that Salah’s strong first year under Slot proves the relationship was fine. He suggested Slot inherited a functioning team, rather than creating the conditions for the Egyptian to thrive himself.
He continued: “Now people will say, ‘Oh yes, but he also did well in the first year Slot came in,’ but I don’t think that was because I think he just took over the team as it was, as the team was already. So, like I said, it’s sad in my opinion that Mo left in that way.”
According to him, Salah might even have stayed in different circumstances. With Slot now gone, it is tempting to wonder whether that door could ever reopen, but the farewell felt too final for that to be realistic.
Instead, Liverpool are left with two endings in the same summer.
- READ MORE: Cody Gakpo admits he didn’t expect Liverpool to sack Arne Slot amid rumours he could leave too
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