Carragher says Salah still belongs on Europe’s biggest stage after Trabzonspor switch

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says Mohamed Salah remains capable of playing in one of Europe’s top leagues and believes the Egypt forward’s talents would have been better suited to a club such as Juventus or Milan than Trabzonspor.

Salah’s move to the Turkish club has generated widespread debate across European football. The transfer brings to an end his highly successful spell in English football with Liverpool, after he agreed a two-year contract with Trabzonspor worth an annual salary of €22m.

Carragher, one of Liverpool’s most prominent former defenders, said he was surprised by the decision during an appearance on the Football Ramble podcast on Wednesday.

“I think Mohamed Salah could easily have played in the Italian league, rather than in a league below his level such as the Turkish league,” Carragher said.

The former England international added that Salah’s ambition and statistical record were comparable to those of Cristiano Ronaldo, while suggesting the forward could still achieve impressive numbers in Turkey.

“Salah is like Ronaldo, he has huge ambition and his numbers mean a lot to him, and he is genuinely capable of achieving that in the Turkish league, but I expected to see him at one of the big clubs such as Juventus or Milan,” Carragher said.

Salah’s arrival at Trabzonspor represents a major change of direction in his career after a golden period at Liverpool. His decision to continue in Turkey rather than remain in one of Europe’s leading competitions has prompted contrasting responses from supporters and analysts.

Some view the transfer as an opportunity for Salah to take on a fresh challenge and become the leading figure in an ambitious project at Trabzonspor. Others regard it as a step backwards for a player who continues to perform at a level that could justify a place among Europe’s elite clubs.

Carragher also suggested that financial considerations may have influenced the lack of interest from some of the continent’s biggest sides. While he did not rule out the possibility that clubs could have pursued Salah, he indicated that the forward’s salary demands may have discouraged potential negotiations.

“Perhaps his financial demands were the reason some clubs were reluctant to negotiate with him,” Carragher said.

The comments underline the divide over Salah’s decision. His move has been viewed by some as an opportunity to lead Trabzonspor and extend his influence in a new environment, while others believe his quality and continued output warranted a move to a more prominent European club.

For Carragher, the central issue is not whether Salah can succeed in the Turkish league. Instead, it is where a player with his ambition, goalscoring record and established reputation should be competing. His preference would have been to see Salah remain in one of Europe’s major footballing centres, with Juventus or Milan presented as more fitting destinations than Trabzonspor.