Steve McManaman, the former Liverpool winger turned pundit, has come out in support of the club’s decision to release Mohamed Salah when his contract expires at the end of the current season, describing the outcome as an inevitable and reasonable conclusion to a difficult campaign.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Fulham, McManaman acknowledged the weight of the situation while maintaining that the separation serves both parties. “I think there has to be a coming of the ways; this year hasn’t gone so well. He’s Liverpool’s highest-paid player by a country mile, I think it’s reasonable that they’ll part ways,” the former winger said. “He’ll go with everyone’s blessings, he’s been a huge superstar, and another huge loss. The succession planning of what happens is going to be imperative to making Liverpool strong again.”
Liverpool have already officially confirmed that Salah will depart Anfield at the conclusion of this season. The 33-year-old is reportedly earning in excess of £350,000 per week, making him the club’s highest-paid player by a significant margin — a financial commitment McManaman suggests is difficult to justify in light of Salah’s diminished contribution under manager Arne Slot during the 2025/26 campaign.
The numbers tell a stark story. In 22 Premier League appearances this season, Salah has managed just five goals and six assists — figures that stand in sharp contrast to the prolific output that defined his nine-year tenure at the club. For context, Salah won the Premier League Golden Boot three times during his spell at Anfield and was regularly among the top scorers in European football.
Despite the underwhelming final chapter, Salah’s legacy at Liverpool remains one of the most celebrated in the club’s modern history. During his time at Anfield, the Egyptian international contributed to an era of sustained success that included two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and two EFL Cup triumphs. He departs as one of the most decorated and impactful players the Premier League has seen in the past decade.
The manner of his exit carries a degree of tension. Allowing a player of Salah’s stature to leave on a free transfer — without a transfer fee — represents a significant financial concession, though the club’s wage bill considerations appear to have taken precedence. His departure follows a pattern of high-profile exits from Anfield in recent years, with the club repeatedly navigating the challenge of transitioning away from key figures of their Klopp-era golden generation.
McManaman’s remarks also spotlight a pressing concern for Liverpool’s hierarchy: identifying an adequate replacement. The club will need to invest strategically in the summer transfer window to fill the void left by Salah’s creativity and goal threat on the right flank. Liverpool’s title challenge and long-term competitiveness in both domestic and European competition will depend heavily on how effectively that succession is managed.
Salah’s final appearance against Fulham on April 11 saw him feature in a crucial Premier League victory for the Reds, adding a fitting footnote to what remains an extraordinary, if bittersweet, final season in red.
