Salah’s transfer comments questioned: ‘He should hate Real Madrid’

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah should hate Real Madrid, not want to join them, according to former Reds striker John Aldridge.

In a recent interview with AS, Salah referenced both Real Madrid and Barcelona as two “top clubs” when asked about a potential future transfer away from Anfield.

That led to transfer speculation naturally emerging, with Salah’s former Egypt team-mate Mohamed Aboutrika revealing that Salah is currently unhappy at Liverpool after recently being overlooked for the captaincy in a Champions League fixture against Midtjylland.

• How Haaland has helped move Kane up Man Utd and Chelsea’s shopping list

Aldridge has questioned why Salah would want to Real Madrid due to how heated things became between the player and Sergio Ramos after the Madrid captain forced him off injured in the Champions League final a few years ago.

“If you’re a player of Salah’s quality, you’re always going to be linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona and other such deals. Harry Kane will be the next one as Tottenham fall away. That’s just the way it is,” Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo.

“Sadio Mane is talked about too. We’re talking about one of the very best forwards in the world. Mane, Salah – they’re always going to be linked with Real Madrid.

“Personally, I think after the experience of the Champions League final and the way Ramos treated him, I’d have had a hatred for Real Madrid if it was me, after that incident. It wouldn’t appeal to me but I wouldn’t want to leave Liverpool anyway.

The former Liverpool centre-forward did admit that if Salah wants to leave, then there’s nothing the club can do.

“It’s up to Jurgen Klopp and what he wants. You have to trust the manager to deal with such situations when they arise in the right way. Players are so strong now, if they want to go then they’ll go. End of story,” he continued.

“But Liverpool have got the best front three in the world, that goes without saying. Tottenham have got a fantastic front three and there’s other clubs as well, but you wouldn’t swap Salah, Mane or Firmino for anyone.”

Salah has been in excellent form this season for the reigning Premier League champions, scoring 13 goals in 12 starts to help Liverpool reach the top of the table at Christmas.