John Barnes backs Salah’s decision to leave Liverpool

By Emmanuel Okogba

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes it is the right time for Mohamed Salah to depart Anfield at the end of the current season.

The former Reds winger stated that Salah’s exit would have been even better at the end of last season, describing the current campaign as difficult for the Egyptian star.

Speaking to OLBG, Barnes said: “I think it probably is the right time, mainly because of the way the season’s gone and what he’s been able to give. I thought it would have been at the end of last year, which for me would have been a better time for both parties.”

Salah, who turns 34 in June, confirmed last month that he will leave Liverpool after nine successful years at the club. His final season has been overshadowed by a penalty miss in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City and earlier public comments about the club and manager Arne Slot.

Barnes noted that Liverpool needed to plan for the future by signing younger attackers such as Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz last summer.

“The problem for Salah is the problem for everybody. You get to 34 years old and this happens,” he added.

Despite Salah’s reduced output this season — with just 10 goals in 35 games — Barnes insisted the forward remains one of Liverpool’s all-time greats.

“He’s up there with the best of them,” Barnes said. “You can talk about Steven Gerrard, Kevin Keegan, Ian Callaghan… I think Mo will be right up there with them. In terms of the top players at Liverpool, 100 per cent he’s up there.”

Salah is expected to feature when Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.