On 24 March, the 33-year-old Pharaohs skipper confirmed his departure in an emotional Instagram video, bringing to a close a nine-year spell with the Reds in which he scored 255 goals in 435 appearances—placing him third on the club’s all-time list—and helped deliver multiple major trophies.
In an interview with former Chelsea teammate and Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer for Stan Sport on Friday, the Egyptian international expressed his satisfaction with the departure decision.
"I feel I'm at peace with that idea or the situation now," he said.
"Leaving this club (was always going to be) tricky, always very difficult for me, I had the best years of my career and of my life here. Leaving wasn't easy, but everything going on during the season makes me feel, 'OK, that's the right thing to do',” the former AS Roma player added.
Salah’s form has dipped notably this season, with 12 goals in 39 appearances, a sharp decline from last term.
Injury update
The experienced winger sustained a minor muscle injury during the victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield last weekend, and he is confirmed to miss Sunday’s anticipated test against Manchester United.
With only three matches remaining in the Premier League season, Salah’s farewell with the club jersey on the pitch became in doubt, but he hinted that there is still a hope of playing again for Liverpool before the exit.
"I'm very professional, and I do everything right," Salah said about his injury.
"The injury is not bad and I will hopefully be on the pitch again soon,” he added.
Difficult Chelsea days
Salah began his Premier League career with a Chelsea jersey in 2014, joining from Swiss side Basel, but sadly, the experience wasn’t such a successful one; pushing him to go out on loan at the time to play for Italy’s Fiorentina and AS Roma before moving to Liverpool in 2017 to start a glorious stint.
Salah acknowledged that Chelsea’s stint is one of the most challenging periods in his career, especially as he was shy in the dressing room, battling with his mentality, and the sudden shift to join such a big club with such stars.
“The time at Chelsea made me stronger as I felt I need to change now,” he said.
“That time made who I am now, as it was very tough. I said like I had to change myself. I have to change how I think. think I have to change how I look at the world, how I train, how I eat, how I sleep,” he added.
A good relationship with Mourinho
Salah highlighted the good relationship with his former coach at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, adding that he saw departing from the London-based club to play in Italy as a key solution to ease pressures on him.
“I had confidence in myself because I always tell the guys, it doesn't matter if you are in Liverpool and not playing and not happy, just go away, go to a smaller club,” the Egyptian said.
“I remember I had a conversation with Jose, and he's a lovely guy. I love him. One of the best coaches I had in my life and our relationship is good now. So I don't want people to think that I'm hitting him or something. No, I love him. He told me I want you to stay or just go somewhere then come back but in UK because I want you. I said no, I want to I see myself away now,” Salah added.
He said that once the chance came to him to play again in England, he didn’t hesitate, as he had full confidence in his abilities to succeed.
“I really believed I could achieve big things and make it in England,” Salah explained, stressing that he didn’t expect the strong start with Liverpool when he scored 44 goals in all competitions in the first season.
Special Premier League title
Salah won the English Premier League title twice, in 2019/2020 and 2024/2025, with Liverpool, but last season’s league title remains special for the Egypt national team captain
“There is nothing like last season for me. Like I always chose the first Premier League, sorry, the Champions League ahead of the Premier League. But last season the impact they had for that Premier League will probably stay forever,” the veteran player explained.
“So that's why was that a lot to do with the involvement of fans as well because the first one was during corona and the fans unfortunately weren't here to celebrate lifting that trophy and then all of a sudden last year you're there with fans. It is the atmosphere that one can only dream of at uh at Anfield,” he added.
Goals’ importance
During his glorious stint with Liverpool, Salah scored 257 goals in all fronts, the third-most in the club's history, and also provided 122 assists, winning two Premier League titles, UEFA Champions League title, and the European Cup among nine trophies.
Salah hailed the importance of scoring goals in his career with the Reds, noting it helped a lot in building such a successful period.
“It's incredible. I think it's very very important for me personally is very important and it's something drive me to achieve more,” said Salah.
“I know when I score goals, there's a big possibility for the team to win. So I'm always trying to score goals and be involved, not just goals, because if you look at the number, I probably will be one of the only wingers in the top 10 scoring goals and also assists. So goals’ number for me is very important, and I always try to advise the young players, or anyone in the team, just like football is not just about just enjoying it, it's not working anymore this way. It's a number to provide for the team to make you win something,” he said.
“You're not gonna win the that the Premier League or Champions League by just go like flick the ball with your back here or something. It doesn't work this way,” Sa;ah concluded.
In March, Liverpool said Salah had “reached an agreement” to leave a year before his contract expires, departing on a free transfer after cutting short a two-year extension signed in April 2025.
Speculation over his next destination has intensified, particularly around a potential move to Saudi Arabia, although his agent has said no decision has been made regarding his future.
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