Mohamed Salah exit labelled ‘worst way’ by Patrice Evra as Ronaldo precedent resurfaces

Patrice Evra has suggested that the exit of Mohamed Salah from Liverpool could ultimately be viewed through the same lens as Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial departure from Manchester United, where the fallout initially overshadowed the football but later sparked debate over whether his criticisms held weight.

Evra believes Salah’s situation carries similar emotional and structural tensions, even as he admits the forward has not handled his departure in an ideal manner.

He argued that what appears to be frustration between player and manager Arne Slot has escalated into a breakdown that may only be judged fairly with time.

Criticism of Salah exit

Ronaldo left Manchester United in 2022 after a turbulent second spell, during which he accused the club’s owners, the Glazer family, of not caring and claimed he felt “betrayed” by the side. Salah, meanwhile, recently expressed his dissatisfaction before his exit, insisting he wanted Liverpool to “go back to being the heavy metal attacking team” as he criticised Arne Slot’s tactical approach.

Evra, speaking to Stake, drew a direct parallel between both cases while acknowledging the discomfort such public comments create within clubs.

“This is a problem between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot and maybe a lot of frustration. I know people will say you should never talk against your club, but this is what Salah may see.

“Cristiano (Ronaldo) was the same, and when he left, everything proved him right. At the end of the day, you prefer players telling exactly what they feel. I know every time they speak to the media, you shouldn’t go against your club.

“But at the end, if you see it that way, Liverpool should make sure that they’re going to prove Salah wrong and win the league next year. Then every comment Mohamed Salah said might make him realise he was the problem. But rarely are those players wrong when they come out with those statements.

“Salah has left Liverpool in the worst way. This is not Mo Salah, Mo Salah is like Steven Gerrard, they play for this club, so I understand the frustration of the fans but it’s done and sometimes it’s done in a nice way sometimes, but he’s done it in a bad way and that’s what has happened with Liverpool and Mo Salah.”

Liverpool urged to respond

Salah announced his Liverpool departure back in March and is expected to bid farewell to supporters at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

The occasion is set to mark the end of a significant chapter for the club, with fans now hoping the transition does not trigger a prolonged decline.

Attention will increasingly turn to how Liverpool respond on the pitch next season, particularly whether they can immediately challenge for the title and, in doing so, reshape the narrative surrounding the forward’s final months at the club.