Dejan Lovren has launched a scathing attack on Arne Slot and Jamie Carragher following Mohamed Salah's departure from Liverpool, claiming the Dutch manager is solely responsible for the Egyptian's exit and branding Carragher's criticism as 'disgusting'.
Lovren Blames Slot for Salah's Exit
The former Liverpool defender, who played alongside Salah for three seasons at Anfield, insists that Salah would have stayed at the club if he had known Slot was leaving. Salah ended his nine-year Liverpool career at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season after a turbulent campaign that included public disagreements with Slot and criticism of the team's playing style. Slot was sacked just six days after the season ended, having spent two years in charge.
Speaking to Middle Eastern outlet WinWin, Lovren said: 'I don't think it's the management; I think it's just one person, and I think it's just the manager. They didn't have a good relationship. Let's put it simply. With Jurgen Klopp, he had a really good relationship. It wasn't always perfect, but they knew each other very well, and they trusted each other, and Mo gave everything on the pitch for Klopp, and Klopp gave him that trust. But with Slot it was the opposite.'
Lovren added: 'It's sad in my opinion that Mo left in that way. I never expected it. Especially since he had another year.' When asked if Salah would have stayed had Slot departed first, Lovren replied: 'Yes, he would have stayed 100%. Believe me, he would have stayed 100%, I know that. But the timing was bad.'
Lovren Criticises Carragher's 'Disgusting' Comments
Lovren also took aim at pundit Jamie Carragher, who had been critical of Salah's performance and behaviour during the season. 'It's not harsh. It's disgusting. Why didn't they talk about him like this for the past eight or nine years? Tell me,' Lovren said. 'Some pundits do it just to attract attention, maybe because they haven't succeeded in other areas of their lives, so now they need to perform well.'
The Croatian defender, now playing for Greek side PAOK, accused Carragher of lacking the courage to say such things to Salah's face. 'I always said he should tell him this to his face, say all these things to Mo to his face. He'll never say that. Because I know he never will, because he never said it to me. He's talked badly about me too, but he never said that to me anyway.'
Lovren concluded: 'He's just performing on TV and he gets paid for it, so he needs to perform this way. But whatever, it just hurts me because I know deep down who Mo is. Because he's a really good guy inside, with a good mind and a good heart. I honestly don't understand. He deserves so much better.'
