"Time has deceived us": Gerrard praises unstoppable Salah following Liverpool departure

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has publicly criticised the club's handling of Mohamed Salah’s departure insisting the Egyptian forward remains at the peak of his powers following his recent transfer to Trabzonspor.

Read Also: From 4th to forgotten: How a difficult Liverpool farewell cost Salah his Ballon d'Or spot

Disappointment over Anfield exit

Salah departed Merseyside at the end of last season after his contract was mutually terminated following reported friction with former head coach Arne Slot.

The circumstances of his exit did not sit well with Gerrard who believes the club failed to properly honour one of its greatest players.

"It hurts me a lot when I see him in a shirt other than Liverpool's.. He did not deserve the treatment he received before he left and should have been treated with more respect. I think we had one of our most difficult conversations during the last season, around this time right now" Gerrard stated.

A strong start in the Süper Lig

Since moving to Turkey, Salah has quickly established his rhythm. Over the weekend, the 34 year old winger converted a penalty during Trabzonspor’s comprehensive 5-0 domestic victory over Gençlerbirliği validating Gerrard's belief that his abilities have not faded.

Speaking to Turkish outlet Haberts, Gerrard expressed his admiration for the forward's seamless adaptation.

"This is what I was waiting to see from Mohamed Salah. Am I the only one who feels he is at his peak? It seems time has really deceived us" the English manager noted.

He further emphasized the broader impact the Egyptian will have on his new team's ambitions:

"Mohamed Salah's presence with Trabzonspor will be a decisive factor for this club in its quest to be a strong competitor for the Turkish league title. He put in another fantastic performance and must continue in this manner"

The golden boot race

Salah’s latest strike brings his tally to four goals in his opening four league fixtures. This immediate output places him second in the Süper Lig scoring charts, trailing only Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen who currently leads the division with six goals.

The Egyptian's form has directly translated into positive team results. Trabzonspor currently sit fourth in the league standings with nine points, remaining firmly in the early title race just three points behind current leaders Galatasaray. Salah’s rapid start suggests that despite the disappointing end to his Premier League chapter, he retains the clinical edge necessary to lead a championship charge in Europe.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

Liverpool

Trabzonspor