Steven Gerrard Urges Mo Salah to Stay at Liverpool Over Saudi Arabia
Despite moving to Saudi Arabia himself to become manager of Al Ettifaq, Steven Gerrard believes Mo Salah should stay at Liverpool over Saudi Arabia. Claims that Salah could head to the Middle East as a lucrative target for Al-Ittihad emerged on Sunday evening, only to be shot down by the player’s agent hours later.
Despite this, there remains a belief that the 31-year-old could eventually opt to follow the likes of Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to the Saudi Pro League. Beyond Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Salah would arguably stand as the most iconic figure in the new state-backed league.
In an interview with Sada Al Mala’eb, Gerrard was asked if he would like to see Liverpool’s No. 11 join him in Saudi Arabia. “Haha, no! No, no – the answer is no,” he replied. “Because Mohamed Salah is my favourite player, I love Liverpool Football Club, so Mohamed can stay where he is. When he wins more leagues and more Champions Leagues with Liverpool, we’ll maybe consider it.”
Effectively, Gerrard would not want to prompt Salah’s exit due to his importance to Liverpool – what that implies about his move for Henderson is up for debate! During his interview, the 43-year-old was also pushed on his decision to sign Henderson, who has taken up the captaincy at Al-Ettifaq.
“I must say, everyone who’s involved in the board, obviously big respect to the minister, to the league for the support, for help in bringing Jordan Henderson here,” he said. “He’s looking forward to the challenge. He’s still got many good years in his legs. We were looking for someone who can be a coach on the football pitch, someone who can lead, someone with a voice, someone who creates real, high-class, elite standards. We want the young players to learn and grow off Jordan.”
It is clear that Gerrard has a lot of respect for both Salah and Henderson and wants them both to stay at Liverpool. Salah has been a key part of Liverpool’s success over the past few years and Gerrard believes that he should stay at Anfield and continue to win leagues and Champions Leagues with the club.
Gerrard also has high hopes for Henderson at Al-Ettifaq. He believes that Henderson can be a great coach and leader on the pitch and can help the young players grow and develop. It is clear that Gerrard is passionate about both players and wants them both to have successful careers in their respective clubs.
Overall, it is clear that Gerrard believes Mo Salah should stay at Liverpool over Saudi Arabia. He believes that Salah should continue to win leagues and Champions Leagues with Liverpool and that Henderson can be a great coach and leader at Al-Ettifaq. Both players have been key parts of their teams’ successes over the past few years and Gerrard wants them both to continue their success in their respective clubs.