Rio Ferdinand has come out swinging in defence of Mohamed Salah, taking aim at what he called a “disloyal” section of Liverpool fans and media voices questioning the Egyptian’s form this season.
Speaking in a video posted on his official podcast X account, the former Manchester United defender said he couldn’t believe the level of criticism being thrown at Salah, especially after everything he’s done for the club over the years.
He pointed out that Salah remains Liverpool’s top scorer this season and continues to post what he described as “ridiculous numbers”, stats that most players could only dream of. Yet, after what he called “a couple months off it,” some fans are apparently ready to move on. Ferdinand didn’t hold back, calling that kind of thinking “crazy”.
He said:
If Mo Salah doesn’t deserve a bit of loyalty and time, no one does. Top scorer breaking all sorts of records. And I’m seeing people because he’s had a couple months off it, or maybe three or four months in some people’s eyes right?
He shouldn’t start. Actually we should get rid of him. Are you crazy? He gives 7-8 years like ridiculous numbers output. And that’s come from a small little segment of people in the media who support Liverpool and probably fan channels and people like that.
I don’t understand it. That’s why when people talk to me about loyalty I say you know what, shove that loyalty talk up your bum because it doesn’t ring true enough around the game.
This latest outburst comes at a tricky time for Liverpool, who are still finding their rhythm under Arne Slot. Softfootball understands that Salah, now 33, has six goal contributions in the Premier League so far, but his performances have divided opinion. Some pundits have even blamed his dip in form on the summer departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, saying it broke up the partnership that once terrorised defences down the right flank.
In his video, Ferdinand singled out what he called a “small little segment” of Liverpool-supporting media voices and fan channels for their hypocrisy. He reminded them how those same people who slammed the club for losing Alexander-Arnold had earlier been calling for Salah to be dropped for younger players.
Watch the video below:
For Ferdinand, loyalty matters, and he made it clear that players like Salah, who’ve given their best for years, should be trusted to work through rough patches.
He claimed:
Same people out there crying that Trent left and absolutely going turbo on Trent in the summer saying the future of the club is not Mo Salah so drop him and play all the other lot.
Surely he should just be on the team sheet probably for the entire season before you start questioning.
It’s not the first time Ferdinand has defended Salah, either. Last month, he publicly disagreed with Jamie Carragher’s suggestion that the forward needed a spell on the bench, instead calling him “Liverpool’s best hope.” Salah had just helped Liverpool edge Real Madrid 1–0 in the Champions League, earning a 7.8 rating from Sofascore that night.
Statistically, Salah’s season isn’t as explosive as his 44-goal campaign a few years ago, but he’s still contributing, one goal and one assist in four Champions League games and recently, Salah himself admitted that it’s been “a very tricky season, but insisted Liverpool are “back on track.”
Ferdinand’s rant hits on a wider issue that goes beyond Liverpool, the modern game’s lack of patience. As transfer rumours linking Salah with a Saudi move resurface, the question now is whether the club and its supporters will stand by their man when he’s not firing on all cylinders.
Because, as Ferdinand’s message suggests, players like Mohamed Salah don’t just fade overnight. They’ve earned their place, their respect, and a little bit of loyalty.
