Lovren defends Salah, blames Slot for Liverpool exit

Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has launched a fierce defense of his former teammate Mohamed Salah, condemning media criticism of the Egyptian star as "disgusting" and blaming former manager Arne Slot for Salah's departure from the club. Lovren made the comments in an interview published on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Lovren, who played alongside Salah at Liverpool from 2017 to 2020, argued that Salah was unfairly targeted by pundits during a difficult final season. "The way they treated him this season is not harsh, it's disgusting," Lovren said. "Why didn't they talk about him like this for the past eight or nine years? Okay, one season, and then he's the target again." He singled out former Liverpool defender and television pundit Jamie Carragher, accusing him of making critical comments for attention and lacking the courage to say them directly to Salah.

The Croatian defender's most pointed criticism was reserved for Arne Slot, who was dismissed as Liverpool manager last week after the team finished fifth in the Premier League. Lovren asserted that a complete breakdown in the relationship between Slot and Salah was the primary reason for the forward's exit, which was...