Steven Gerrard messaged Mohamed Salah after Arne Slot spat — 'Go the right way'

Steven Gerrard has revealed he sent frank text messages to Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool star's public criticism of Arne Slot, advising him not to leave "under a cloud" as he departs Anfield at the end of the season

Steven Gerrard revealed a conversation he had with Mohamed Salah(Image: YouTube/The Overlap)

Steven Gerrard has disclosed that he exchanged messages with Mohamed Salah shortly after the Liverpool striker criticized Arne Slot.

The Egyptian has since confirmed his intention to depart Anfield when the current season concludes. During his nine-year spell on Merseyside's red half, Salah established himself as one of the club's greatest ever players. Yet, just prior to his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations, he openly condemned Slot for benching him following Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds at Elland Road.

Salah was subsequently omitted from Liverpool's Champions League triumph away to Inter Milan, though he was welcomed back into the squad upon his return from AFCON. Reflecting on Salah's disagreement with Slot, Gerrard shared details of a candid conversation he had with the forward.

Speaking on the Overlap, Gerrard explained: "I spoke to him around that interview at the time. I said, 'Don't do what you've done and go under a cloud' — yeah, I spoke to him direct.

"He texts me every now and again or I text him now and again, more if I am going somewhere with Leo (Gerrard's son) just so Leo can see him.

"But it gave me the opportunity to say to him, 'You've been here for eight or nine years. You've been a king here; you've got this legacy. Go on your terms, the right way.'"

Gerrard reached out to Salah after the Egyptian's falling out with Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)

When asked how Salah responded to Gerrard's comments, the former England skipper revealed: "He was still a little emotional at the time from the incidents.

"He was a sub. He was in and out of the team at the time. He was upset. I thought it would have been a shame if he left in January, and he just left."

Discussing the rift between Slot and Salah in more detail, Liverpool icon Gerrard continued: "I understand both sides of it now, I have been a manager myself, I understand both sides. I had a similar thing with Brendan (Rodgers).

"But when I look back at it now, and I am out of the game and on the other side of it and less emotional, you understand it from where Brendan is. I maybe wasn't the same player at 34.

"There's no rule where you have to play every minute because you're the captain, but at the time, it's not easy.

"When you're in the squad, and you're about to play (Manchester) United, and you look at the squad, and you think, 'I am as good if not better than those players.' It's difficult in the player's situation."

Salah is set to depart Liverpool when the season concludes, despite still having 12 months remaining on his deal.

The Reds have, however, allowed him to leave on a free transfer, essentially granting him free agent status.