The End of an Era: Steven Gerrard Reveals Mohamed Salah’s Next Destination After Liverpool Exit

 

The footballing world was sent into a frenzy on Thursday, April 2, 2026, as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard broke his silence on the future of Mohamed Salah. Following the Egyptian King's recent announcement that he will depart Anfield at the end of the 2025/26 season, speculation has reached a fever pitch.

​Speaking on a special edition of The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Gerrard—who currently manages in the Middle East—provided a definitive outlook on where the record-breaking forward is headed. According to the former Reds captain, Salah is prepared to embrace a new chapter that will see him become the face of football in a rapidly expanding market.

​Steven Gerrard’s Bombshell: The Saudi Pro League Awaits

​During the candid discussion with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard revealed that a move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is the most likely "next destination" for Mohamed Salah. Gerrard, who has unique insights into both the Liverpool camp and the Middle Eastern football landscape, noted that the cultural and financial fit makes the move almost inevitable.

​"If I had to put my house on it, I’d say he’s going to Saudi Arabia," Gerrard stated. He explained that Salah’s status as a global icon, particularly in the Arab world, makes him the "ultimate signing" for a league looking to solidify its place among the world's elite. While European giants like Paris Saint-Germain and several Italian clubs have expressed interest, Gerrard believes the allure of the SPL—where Salah would be treated as "more than just a player"—is too strong to ignore.

​Leaving "The Right Way": Gerrard’s Private Advice to Salah

​Perhaps the most poignant part of the interview was Gerrard’s revelation of a private exchange between himself and Salah. The 2025/26 season has been a tumultuous one for the Egyptian, marked by a public fallout with manager Arne Slot following a 3-3 draw against Leeds United earlier in the campaign.

​Gerrard confessed that he reached out to Salah via text to offer guidance during that period of friction. "I spoke to him direct and said, ‘Don’t do what you’ve done and go under a cloud,’" Gerrard shared. "You’ve been a king here for nine years; you’ve got this incredible legacy. Just go on your terms, the right way."

​The advice seems to have resonated. Since that December fallout, Salah has regained his place in the starting XI and committed to finishing the season on a high, aiming to add a final FA Cup or Champions League trophy to his legendary cabinet before his departure in June.

​The Financials: Why a Free Transfer Suits All Parties

​In an unusual move for a player of his caliber, Liverpool and Salah reached a mutual agreement to terminate the final year of his contract (originally set to expire in 2027) this summer. This allows Salah to leave as a free agent.

​While losing a player worth millions for nothing might seem like a disaster, industry experts point to the "win-win" nature of the deal:

• ​For Liverpool: It clears a massive wage bill (reportedly £500,000 per week) and allows Arne Slot to begin a full squad rebuild without the shadow of a departing legend.
• ​For Salah: As a free agent, he can negotiate a staggering signing-on bonus with his next club, likely surpassing any traditional transfer fee.
• ​For the SPL: Acquiring the world's premier Muslim athlete without a transfer fee to a European rival is a massive PR and strategic victory.

​Legacy of a Legend: 255 Goals and Counting

​As the countdown to his final game at Anfield begins, the magnitude of Mohamed Salah’s career at Liverpool is coming into sharp focus. Since joining from AS Roma in 2017, the "Egyptian King" has rewritten the record books:

• ​435 Appearances (to date)

• ​255 Goals
• ​Two Premier League Titles (including the historic 20th title in 2025)

• ​One Champions League Trophy
• ​Four-time Premier League Golden Boot Winner

​Gerrard emphasized that regardless of the recent drama with Arne Slot, Salah’s place among the greatest to ever wear the red shirt—alongside the likes of Ian Rush, Roger Hunt, and Gerrard himself—is firmly secured.

​Conclusion: A Final Farewell at Anfield

​With Steven Gerrard’s revelation, the roadmap for Mohamed Salah’s post-Liverpool life is becoming clear. While Jamie Carragher argued on the same podcast that Salah still has the quality to compete in Italy or Spain, the consensus is that the Middle East offers the most fitting stage for the next phase of his storied career.

​As Liverpool fans prepare for an emotional farewell in May 2026, the focus remains on the pitch. Salah is determined to lead the Reds to one last glory, ensuring that when he finally walks out of the Anfield tunnel for the last time, he does so exactly as Steven Gerrard advised: as a King, leaving through the front door.