“I don’t want people to think that I’m hating him”

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has opened up on his relationship with Jose Mourinho while at Chelsea. The Egyptian made his Premier League debut under Mourinho back in 2014. However, he played just 13 league games for Chelsea.

After struggling to get the desired playing time at Stamford Bridge, Salah joined Fiorentina on loan before moving to Roma in the 2015/16 season. He famously turned his career around with the Yellow and red before joining Liverpool in 2017.

Since his return to the Premier League, Salah has established himself as one of the all-time greats. And despite his struggles at Chelsea under Mourinho, Salah has revealed that he still holds the Portuguese manager in high regard.

The winger referred to Mourinho as a ‘lovely guy’ and insists they share a good relationship even now. Salah also added that Mourinho wanted him to return to Chelsea after his loan spell in Italy, but he himself decided not to come back to Stamford Bridge.

He told StanSport in an interview:

“I remember I had a conversation with Jose and he’s a lovely guy. I love him. One of the best coaches I had in my life and our relationship is good now. So I don’t want people to think that I’m hating him or something.

“No, I love him. And he told me like I want you to stay or just go somewhere just on loan then come back but in the UK because I want you. I said no I want to I see myself away now.

“There’s too much pressure on me. I want to go to Italy. I want to play there and I don’t want to go on loan and come back to a club.”

Salah has scored 257 goals and registered 122 assists in 440 games across competitions for Liverpool. He is the club’s third-highest goalscorer behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285).

Arne Slot makes feelings clear about Mo Salah farewell at Liverpool

Mohamed Salah was substituted due to an injury during the Reds’ 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend. Despite initial concerns over his availability for the rest of the season, Arne Slot confirmed that the Egyptian will play again before he bids goodbye to Anfield.

Salah is ruled out for the match against Manchester United on Sunday, but Slot revealed that the injury is ‘minor’. The Reds’ boss also insisted that if anyone deserves a big send off on the pitch, it is Salah.

Slot told reporters:

“He has a minor injury and we expect and need him back for the final part of the season, but not for Sunday. It is a big relief that his injury is minor and he is able to play for us and at the World Cup. If a player deserves a big send off then it is Mo.”

Liverpool play Brentford on the final day of the season at Anfield, where Salah is expected to bid an emotional goodbye to the club.