Mohamed Salah has intensified his criticism of Liverpool ahead of his summer departure, with former Reds striker Michael Owen explaining why the Egyptian forward's comments carry such explosive weight at Anfield. After nine years and 250+ goals, Salah is preparing to leave on a free transfer, but not before delivering pointed remarks about the club's current direction under Arne Slot.
In a statement released on social media, Salah expressed frustration with Liverpool's decline from title contenders to fifth-place finishers. "I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies," he wrote, referencing the attacking philosophy that defined Jurgen Klopp's reign. The 33-year-old's comments followed his demotion to the bench late in the 2024-25 season, sparking fresh debate about his future and the club's tactical direction.
Owen: Comments Are "Hand Grenades"
Owen told GOAL that Salah's departure digs, while justified, remain strategically unwise. "Both understandable and unhelpful," Owen explained. "There was nothing that he said that was wrong, it was just that he said it. That was the thing." The former striker highlighted a crucial dynamic: Salah rarely speaks publicly, meaning his occasional outbursts land with disproportionate force. "When he does speak, he's dropping hand grenades," Owen said. "If he spoke all the time, then it might not come as a massive shock. But whatever he's going to say, it's huge, huge news."
A Legacy Tarnished by Timing
Salah's final campaign has been complicated by Liverpool's inconsistent form and tactical struggles. Despite contributing four Golden Boots, two Premier League titles, and one Champions League crown during his tenure, the forward's departure marks the end of an era. Fellow legend Jamie Carragher labelled Salah's comments "selfish," drawing parallels to Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial exit from Manchester United in 2022.
Owen acknowledged that Salah's core grievances deserve attention. Liverpool's spending spree in summer 2025 failed to deliver silverware, and the team's collective standards have visibly declined. However, the timing and public nature of these criticisms create unnecessary friction during a transitional period. As Liverpool prepares for the 2025-26 campaign without its greatest modern forward, the club faces questions about how to rebuild its attacking identity and reclaim the trophy-winning mentality that defined the Klopp years.
