Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has urged Mohamed Salah to “take a step back” after the forward’s explosive comments about the club, insisting the Reds still need the Egypt international despite the controversy.

Salah was left out of the squad that travelled to Italy for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Inter Milan, following a public outburst in which he accused manager Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy of “throwing him under the bus” after being benched during last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Leeds.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher condemned Salah’s remarks as a “disgrace,” but Gerrard called for reconciliation, emphasizing the need for unity at Anfield.

“He’s obviously really upset he’s not playing, which I respect,” Gerrard told TNT Sports.
“A couple of lines about throwing people under the bus were wrong. He needs to step back a little, deal with that with the manager.”

Gerrard added that tensions between players and management are nothing new in football.

“I’ve seen this and I’ve lived it with Luis Suarez when he fell out with Brendan Rodgers face to face. I’ve been there and done it myself,” Gerrard said.
“We’ve all had moments where we acted emotionally. Hopefully Salah realises he was a bit hasty and a bit emotional.”

Salah’s comments have fueled speculation that he could leave Liverpool as soon as January, despite signing a lucrative contract extension in April. On Tuesday, the 33-year-old was pictured training alone in the club’s gym, while reports have linked him to potential moves to Saudi Arabia, with the Public Investment Fund reportedly willing to “do whatever it can” to sign him.

Gerrard, however, stressed Salah’s importance to Liverpool:

“At the end of the day, Liverpool need Mo Salah back playing well and scoring goals because he is the best player, the best scorer. He will help them get out of this. If this goes on, it becomes bigger than what we all see.”

Dutch boss Arne Slot attempted to shift focus back to the team, praising the players involved in the 1-0 win at the San Siro thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s controversial late penalty.

Salah, who will head to the Africa Cup of Nations after next weekend’s home Premier League clash with Brighton, expressed his frustration to reporters at Elland Road after being an unused substitute:

“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems like someone doesn’t want me at the club.”

The forward’s remarks come amid a difficult season for both him and Liverpool. Salah, who has been pivotal in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph, has scored only four goals in 13 league appearances this season as the Reds languish in 10th place.