Mohamed Salah Says Facing Liverpool Would Be “Tricky” After Emotional Anfield Departure
Mohamed Salah has admitted that playing against Liverpool would be emotionally difficult after ending his nine-year spell at Anfield and beginning a new chapter with Turkish club Trabzonspor.
The Egyptian forward left Liverpool on a free transfer in June after one of the most successful periods in the club’s modern history. During his time on Merseyside, Salah became a global star and one of Liverpool’s most influential players, scoring 257 goals in 442 appearances. He also helped the team win two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Although Salah has now moved on professionally, his connection with Liverpool remains strong. In an interview published by Trabzonspor’s official media channels, the 34-year-old explained that a possible meeting with his former team would bring conflicting emotions.
“I would feel mixed feelings because I was there for nine years,” Salah said. “I love the city, I love the fans, and we always had a special relationship. It would be very tricky.”
The forward’s comments underline the depth of his relationship with Liverpool supporters. Salah was not merely a prolific goalscorer during his Anfield career; he became one of the central figures of the club’s revival under Jürgen Klopp. His pace, consistency and ability to decide major matches made him a fan favourite and a key part of Liverpool’s return to the highest level of European football.
A competitive match between Salah’s new club and Liverpool is not possible in the current European campaign. Trabzonspor are involved in the UEFA Conference League, while Liverpool are competing in the UEFA Champions League. Unless the two clubs meet in a future competition or friendly fixture, Salah will not immediately have to face his former teammates.
Even so, the possibility remains an intriguing one. Liverpool supporters would likely welcome their former star warmly, while Salah could find it challenging to play in front of fans who supported him throughout his career in England. Footballers often face former clubs, but few departures carry the same emotional weight as Salah’s exit after nearly a decade of success.
His transfer to Trabzonspor came after he represented Egypt at the World Cup and considered several options for the next stage of his career. The decision surprised many observers, particularly because Salah still possessed the quality and experience to continue playing at the highest level in one of Europe’s major leagues.
The move has also placed him in a new footballing environment. Trabzonspor are one of Turkey’s most historically significant clubs, and the team’s passionate support has given Salah a fresh platform. His arrival generated considerable excitement, with supporters expecting him to provide leadership as well as goals.
The club’s start to the campaign has not been entirely smooth. Trabzonspor suffered an early elimination from UEFA Europa League qualifying, creating disappointment around the team. However, Salah’s own performances have offered encouragement and demonstrated that his attacking influence has not diminished.
He has recorded three goals and two assists in his first five appearances for the Turkish side. His contribution was particularly visible in Trabzonspor’s 5-0 victory over Gençlerbirliği, when he scored once and provided an assist. The performance suggested that Salah can quickly adapt to a different league, tactical system and squad.
His early statistics also indicate that the move was not simply a symbolic late-career decision. Salah appears determined to remain a decisive player and compete for major objectives in Turkey. His experience in high-pressure matches could prove valuable for a team seeking consistency after an uneven beginning.
For Liverpool, Salah’s departure marks the end of an important era. His goals played a major role in the club’s domestic and European achievements, and replacing his production was always going to be difficult. The Egyptian’s departure also changes the character of the team’s attack, particularly in moments when individual brilliance is needed to break down a well-organised defence.
For Salah, however, the transfer offers an opportunity to define the final phase of his career on his own terms. At Trabzonspor, he can take on a central role, guide younger teammates and build a new relationship with supporters who have quickly embraced him.
A future meeting with Liverpool would therefore carry significance beyond the result. It would bring together Salah’s past and present: the player who became a legend in England and the experienced forward now leading a new project in Turkey. Despite the competitive nature of football, his words suggest that the bond with Liverpool is unlikely to disappear.
Salah’s departure may have closed his chapter as a Liverpool player, but it has not erased the memories created during nine remarkable seasons. If he eventually walks onto the pitch against his former club, the occasion is likely to be filled with applause, nostalgia and complicated emotions for both the player and the fans.