Jamie Carragher Questions Mohamed Salah’s Move to Turkey After Liverpool Departure

Former Liverpool defender and football pundit Jamie Carragher has expressed his disappointment over Mohamed Salah’s decision to move to Turkey following his departure from Anfield, arguing that the Egyptian superstar is still capable of competing at the highest level in European football.

Salah, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s modern history, is expected to complete a move to Turkish club Trabzonspor after becoming a free agent at the end of last season. The transfer comes after the forward chose not to extend his stay at Liverpool, despite previously earning a reported £400,000-per-week contract.

The 34-year-old forward received an extraordinary welcome from supporters after arriving in Turkey, with thousands of enthusiastic fans gathering to celebrate the arrival of one of the biggest names ever to join the Turkish Super Lig.

However, Carragher believes Salah’s quality remains too high for a move away from one of Europe’s elite leagues. The former England international suggested that the Egyptian should have considered joining a more prestigious European club, such as a team competing regularly in Italy’s Serie A.

Speaking on the Football Ramble podcast, Carragher explained that he never expected Salah to move to Saudi Arabia because he still believes the forward has enough ability to perform at the highest level.

“I never thought he would go to Saudi Arabia because he is simply too good for that,” Carragher said. “For me, he could still be playing in Serie A. Going to Turkey feels like a step below where he should be.”

Carragher admitted he had previously expected Salah to continue his career at a historic European club, mentioning potential destinations such as AC Milan or Juventus.

The former Liverpool player suggested that Salah’s mentality and ambition reminded him of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has continued playing at a high level despite reaching the later stages of his career.

Carragher believes Salah is the type of player who is motivated by personal achievements, statistics, and competing at the highest level.

“He is similar to Ronaldo in that way,” Carragher explained. “He is extremely driven, and his numbers matter a lot to him. I thought he would want to continue playing for a major club with a big European reputation.”

Although Carragher acknowledged that Salah could still produce impressive performances in Turkey, he questioned whether the move matched the level of player Salah has become throughout his career.

Salah Receives Huge Welcome After Joining Trabzonspor

Salah’s arrival at Trabzonspor created enormous excitement among supporters. The Turkish club, who finished third in the Super Lig last season, secured the signing of one of world football’s most recognizable stars.

The club, which also features Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan, has made Salah one of the biggest signings in its history. Although Trabzonspor did not need to pay a transfer fee because Salah was available as a free agent, the club reportedly made significant changes to its wage structure in order to complete the deal.

Trabzonspor last won the Turkish league title in 2022 and will compete in the UEFA Europa League during the upcoming season.

Thousands of supporters gathered at airports in Istanbul and Trabzon to welcome Salah, creating scenes usually reserved for global football icons.

Despite the excitement surrounding the transfer, Carragher believes the Egyptian could have attracted interest from bigger clubs if financial demands had been more flexible.

Salary Demands Made European Move Difficult

One of the biggest obstacles for clubs interested in signing Salah was believed to be his wage expectations. After earning a huge salary at Liverpool, many potential suitors may have been unwilling or unable to match his financial demands.

Carragher suggested that Salah could potentially have adjusted his expectations in order to secure a move to a more prestigious European side.

“Obviously, his wage demands have probably discouraged some clubs,” Carragher said. “But I thought he might reduce those demands slightly to give himself the opportunity to join a bigger team.”

The pundit argued that a move to a club like AC Milan or Juventus would have allowed Salah to continue competing in major matches, playing in iconic stadiums, and remaining involved in elite European competition.

Carragher highlighted the appeal of playing at venues such as the San Siro and competing against Europe’s best teams as reasons why he felt Salah still belonged at that level.

“To play for AC Milan or Juventus, to play in those huge stadiums, to still be involved in important European matches — that is where I thought he would end up,” Carragher added. “Turkey just feels like it is below his level. I think he is better than that.”

Salah’s Liverpool Legacy

Salah leaves Liverpool after establishing himself as one of the club’s greatest-ever players. Since joining from Roma in 2017, he became a key figure in one of the most successful periods in Liverpool’s history.

The Egyptian forward played a major role in Liverpool winning the Premier League title, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and other major honors under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Known for his incredible goalscoring record, consistency, and professionalism, Salah became a fan favorite at Anfield and one of the most feared attackers in world football.

His departure marked the end of a hugely successful chapter, but his next move has generated debate among supporters and football experts.

While some believe Salah has earned the right to choose a different challenge and secure a lucrative final chapter of his career, others share Carragher’s view that the forward still has the ability to compete against Europe’s elite.

A New Challenge in Turkey

Despite criticism, Salah’s move to Trabzonspor represents a historic moment for Turkish football. The club has secured the services of a player with global recognition, exceptional experience, and a proven record at the highest level.

For Salah, the move could provide a new challenge while allowing him to remain competitive and continue adding to his career statistics.

Although Carragher believes Salah could have achieved more by remaining in one of Europe’s major leagues, the Egyptian forward will now look to prove that his quality can shine anywhere.

The coming season will reveal whether Salah’s decision was the right one. If he continues producing goals and outstanding performances, he may demonstrate that his greatness is not limited to Europe’s biggest stages.

For now, however, Carragher’s message remains clear: he believes Mohamed Salah is still too talented to be playing outside the traditional elite leagues of European football.