Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has voiced his bewilderment at Mohamed Salah's move to Trabzonspor, insisting the Turkish Süper Lig represents "too low a level" for a player of the Egyptian's calibre. Speaking on the Football Ramble podcast, the former England international questioned the decision-making behind one of the most surprising transfers of the summer.

"Turkey seems to be a level too low for me," Carragher said. Rather than joining the Black Sea club, Carragher would have envisioned Salah moving to Serie A, specifically to "AC Milan or Juventus," where the winger could still compete at the highest level of European football and play in front of packed stadiums like San Siro.

Carragher: Salah deserves a bigger stage

Carragher, who spent his entire playing career at Liverpool and made 508 appearances for the club, expressed his admiration for Salah but made no secret of his disappointment at the 34-year-old's choice. "I just think he's better than that," Carragher stated, emphasising that Salah could have continued playing in the Champions League and challenging for major silverware.

"Going to AC Milan or Juventus, or whoever it might be, playing at San Siro, continuing to play in big matches, continuing to play in Europe. Turkey just feels like... I simply think he deserves better," the pundit added.

Salary demands shaped the transfer

Ultimately, it was the player's substantial wage demands that proved decisive in steering the transfer towards Trabzonspor. According to reports, Salah will earn a net salary of €17 million per year at Trabzonspor, a figure that no Italian club was willing to match. The former Chelsea forward had reportedly been open to a move back to Italy, but his financial expectations proved too steep for Serie A's top sides.

Carragher acknowledged the financial reality but suggested Salah could have adjusted his demands to secure a more prestigious sporting project. "Of course, his salary demands cooled some people off, but I thought he might lower them a little to join a better club," he said.

Salah's glorious Liverpool career

Salah's departure from Liverpool marked the end of an era. Over nine seasons at Anfield, he became one of the club's greatest ever players, scoring over 200 goals and providing countless assists. He played a pivotal role in ending Liverpool's 30-year wait for a league title in 2020 and was instrumental in winning the Champions League in 2019, alongside a host of other domestic and international trophies.

During his time on Merseyside, Salah won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, was named the PFA Fans' Player of the Year twice, and broke multiple club records. His consistency, professionalism, and ability to deliver in big moments made him a beloved figure among Liverpool supporters and a respected adversary across the league.

The Egyptian winger had been linked with a move away from Liverpool in previous transfer windows, with clubs from Saudi Arabia and other leagues expressing interest. However, he remained loyal to the Reds until the summer of 2026, when both parties agreed to an early termination of his contract, which had been due to run until 2027.

Trabzonspor's blockbuster signing

Trabzonspor, who finished third in the Süper Lig last season, have pulled off one of the most high-profile signings in Turkish football history. The club moved quickly to secure Salah on a deal that runs until 2028, beating out competition from several other suitors. The announcement has generated massive excitement among fans, with Turkish media reporting that the club has already produced 100,000 replica shirts bearing Salah's name and the number 11.

The sheer scale of the transfer is unusual for a club outside Europe's top five leagues, but Trabzonspor's ambition and willingness to match Salah's financial demands convinced the player to make the move. The club has also promised to build a competitive squad around him, aiming to challenge for the Süper Lig title and make an impact in European competitions.

The wider context of Salah's move

Salah's switch to Turkey continues a growing trend of high-profile players moving to less traditional leagues in the latter stages of their careers. The Süper Lig has attracted several big names in recent years, including former Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United stars, drawn by generous wages and competitive football. However, the move to Trabzonspor is considered particularly surprising, as Salah had remained at the top of European football until the end of his Liverpool tenure.

At 34, Salah is no longer in his physical prime, but his goal-scoring record and ability to influence matches show he still has plenty to offer. His former coach Jürgen Klopp once described him as "one of the best players in the world" and a "phenomenon" for his professionalism. While Trabzonspor will be delighted to have secured such a marquee signing, some pundits argue that Salah still had the quality to perform in the Champions League, had he been willing to compromise financially.

Carragher: 'He should have stayed in Europe's elite'

Carragher, known for his outspoken analysis, did not hold back in his criticism of the transfer. He insisted that Salah's legacy would not be tarnished by the move, but he expressed concern that the Egyptian was stepping away from the biggest competitions in world football. "We all know what Mohamed Salah has achieved. He has nothing to prove to anyone. But as a fan of football, as someone who loves watching great players, it's sad to see him leave the biggest stage," the former defender said.

Carragher also reflected on the fact that Salah had the opportunity to choose his next destination after a glorious chapter at Liverpool. "He had offers, I'm sure of it. It's not as if nobody wanted him. He could have sat down and chosen a top club. But in the end, the money spoke louder, and that's a difficult thing to accept for those who wanted to see him in another elite European league," he added.

What's next for Salah and Trabzonspor?

Trabzonspor will kick off their new Süper Lig season on August 15 with an away match against Kasimpasa. The fixture will be eagerly anticipated, with all eyes on Salah's debut in Turkish football. Later in August, the Turkish club face a two-legged Europa League play-off tie, with a place in the group stage on the line.

The club from the Black Sea region has also planned a major promotional event to unveil their new star, with fans from across the country expected to attend. The arrival of a player of Salah's stature has raised the profile of the Süper Lig, which has been growing in competitiveness in recent seasons, attracting television audiences and international attention.

For Salah, the new chapter at Trabzonspor offers him the chance to be the undisputed star of a team, with devoted supporters and the opportunity to lead the club to its first league title since 2022. That season, Trabzonspor won the Süper Lig under the management of Abdullah Avcı, breaking the dominance of Istanbul's big three. With Salah in their ranks, they will be hoping to do so again.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will move forward without their iconic winger, having already reshaped their attacking line during the close season. The club's fans, though saddened by Salah's departure, have expressed gratitude for his immense contributions and wish him well in his new adventure away from English football.

As the new season approaches, Carragher's comments will likely fuel further debate about the transfer. But with the move now completed, the focus turns to how Salah will adapt to his new surroundings and whether he can deliver the kind of performances that defined his time at Anfield, this time at the heart of Turkish football.

Source: Goal News