Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has expressed his wish that fans do not boo his teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold in the remaining matches of the season. Salah insists that the defender deserves a proper send-off before his possible departure from Anfield this summer.
Alexander-Arnold was booed by some fans after coming off the bench in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. This reaction comes after the player confirmed his intention to leave the club at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old footballer is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer.
Salah doesn’t believe Alexander-Arnold should be criticised for seeking new challenges outside of Merseyside.
Absolutely. I was surprised because that’s not how we react as Liverpool fans.
Mohamed Salah
Salah added: “We shouldn’t react like that with anyone. We always appreciate the people who came here, even if it was for six months.”
The player continued: “Imagine someone who gave everything for 20 years. It shouldn’t be like that and I hope it changes in the next match, against Brighton or in the last match of the season, because he deserves a farewell.”
Salah, who recently renewed his contract for two years, understands Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave the club.
It’s his decision. I know that 20 years at the club is very hard. People think it’s easy to make a decision and just stay. No, it’s not.
Mohamed Salah
Salah confesses that he will miss his teammate: “I told him yesterday not to look me in the eye at his farewell because I really love him.”
The Egyptian striker added: “He deserves the best farewell upon leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and a lot for the club. He was probably one of the best players in the history of the club and needed a new challenge. He told me about it. It’s his decision, of course.”
Salah concluded: “He is 26 years old and has won two league titles. What more could he have done? He needs to change and challenge himself. People don’t know much about this, but he has been at the club for 20 years.”
The player also commented on the mental difficulty of being in the same place for so long: “It’s so hard mentally for someone to be at the same club for 20 years. It’s the place you love, yes. I love the place. But going to the same place every day, you could get depressed mentally.”
Salah concluded by saying: “I really wish him the best. I will always be in contact with him. The fans have been hard on him. He didn’t deserve it because he gave everything to the fans.”
