Steven Gerrard said Mohamed Salah's public criticism of Liverpool's current standards under manager Arne Slot was "damning" and painful to witness.
The comments signal a public rift between the club's star forward and the current management. This internal tension comes as the team faces a critical transition period and a potential loss of one of its most influential players.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Gerrard said it "hurts to watch" the current state of the club [1]. He said the identity of the team has vanished, stating that the "identity's gone" [2]. These remarks followed a tweet from Salah that criticized the playing style and lack of fight within the squad [1].
This public breakdown in standards occurs ahead of the final-day match against Wolves on Sunday [3]. Reports indicate that Salah will end his Liverpool career following that clash [2]. The timing of the critique suggests a fundamental disagreement between the player's expectations and the tactical direction implemented by Slot.
Financial investments have not yet resolved the club's struggles. Liverpool shattered the British transfer record twice last summer [4] — a move intended to bolster the squad's quality and competitiveness.
Despite those expenditures, Gerrard's assessment aligns with Salah's view that the team has lost its way. The former captain's reaction emphasizes a perceived decline in the grit, and mentality that historically defined the club at Anfield [1].
“"It hurts to watch."”
The alignment between a current star player and a legendary former captain suggests a systemic failure in the club's culture under Arne Slot. If Salah departs after the Wolves match, Liverpool loses not only a primary goalscorer but also the locker-room authority that maintained the standards Gerrard is now mourning.
