Former Liverpool star takes aim at Arne Slot in recent interview | OneFootball

Lovren Defends Salah as Liverpool Exit Debate Continues

Liverpool have experienced significant change this summer, with the departures of both Mohamed Salah and former head coach Arne Slot marking the end of a chapter that delivered success but also generated plenty of discussion behind the scenes.

Now, former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has offered a candid assessment of Salah’s final period at Anfield, suggesting the Egyptian’s relationship with Slot played a major role in how events unfolded.

Salah Exit Still Raises Questions

For many supporters, Salah’s departure remains difficult to process. Few players have left a greater mark on Liverpool’s modern era, consistently delivering goals, assists and moments that defined some of the club’s most successful years.

Lovren, who spent six seasons alongside Salah at Liverpool and remains one of his closest friends in football, believes the forward never imagined his Anfield story would conclude in this manner.

Photo IMAGO

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.”

Relationship With Slot Under Scrutiny

Lovren did not hold back when discussing the dynamic between Salah and Slot.

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.

Photo: IMAGO

“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.”

Those comments are likely to generate debate among Liverpool supporters, particularly given the team’s achievements during Slot’s tenure.

Photo: IMAGO

Legacy Remains Untouched

Whatever the circumstances surrounding his departure, Salah’s contribution to Liverpool remains beyond question. His goals transformed matches, delivered trophies and helped restore Liverpool to the summit of English and European football.

Lovren also challenged suggestions that Salah’s impressive performances under Slot proved there were no issues between player and manager.

He said: “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.”

End of an Era at Liverpool

With Salah gone and Slot also having moved on, Liverpool enter a new phase under fresh leadership.

The club’s focus will now be on building the next successful side, but discussions about Salah’s departure are unlikely to disappear any time soon. For supporters, memories of his achievements will far outweigh any uncertainty surrounding the final chapter of an extraordinary Liverpool career.