Mohamed Salah says that Liverpool fans were wrong about Trent Alexander-Arnold in Boo and it says that the right back “the best farewell” deserves everything he has done for his boys' club.
Alexander-Arnold was booed by a few Liverpool fans in Anfield during last Sunday's 2-2 draw against Arsenal after confirmation that he is leaving to join Real Madrid to a free transfer this summer.
Salah was saddened by the reception of his teammate against Arsenal and understands Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave the club since the age of six in Liverpool.
“I think the fans were somehow hard against him,” Salah told Gary Neville of Sky Sports in an exclusive interview prior to Liverpool's meeting with Brighton on Monday evening football.
“I think he didn't deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best possible way because he gave it all to the fans.”
The 26-year-old has made 353 senior performances for Liverpool in all competitions, scored 23 goals and will leave with two Premier League titles and a Champions League.
Asked if the angry was sad, Salah said: “Absolutely. I was surprised because this is not how we act as fans of Liverpool.
“We should not act in this way with someone who always appreciates the people who have even come here for six months.
“Imagine that someone has been giving you everything for 20 years. It should not be. I hope that the next game will change, against Brighton or in the last match of the season, because he deserves saying goodbye.”
Salah, who signed a new contract in Liverpool in April with Virgil van Dijk, also expressed his grief on the departure of Alexander-Arnold, but insisted that he had the right to seek a new challenge after so many years of service for Liverpool.
“I told him yesterday that I am not giving myself an eye contact in your farewell,” Salah added.
“I really love him. I think he deserves the best farewell that the club is leaving. He has done a lot for the city and did a lot for the club and he is one of the best players in the history of the club. He gave it all.
“I think he needed a new challenge. He spoke to me about it. It is certain his decision. He is 25, 26 years old and won it all two or three times. What else did he do?
“He just has to go, change and challenge himself. People don't know anything about it, but he spent 20 years in the club.
“It is mentally so difficult for someone to be in a club for 20 years. Yes, I love the place, but I go to the same place for 20 years every day, you can become depressed mentally.
“I really wish him the best. I will always have contact with him.
“It's his decision. I didn't try to convince him to stay because I know it's 20 years in a club is not easy. It's so difficult.
“People think it is easy to make a decision and stay. It is not.
“I always want him in my team. Someone like him, you want him in your team. But I also understand, being in the same place for 20 years is not easy.”
Sky Sports to show 215 Live PL games next season
From next season, the Premier League coverage of Sky Sports will increase from 128 games to at least 215 games that are exclusively live.
And 80 percent of all Premier League matches broadcast on television will be on Sky Sports next season.