In a rare human moment on the football pitch, Egyptian star Mohamed Salah couldn’t hold back his tears in front of Liverpool fans, who paid a heartfelt tribute to their late teammate Diogo Jota.

Salah, who shared a strong friendship with Jota, spoke about the emotional breakdown and his renewed role as a team leader both on and off the field.

Tears at Anfield After Losing a Close Friend

Mohamed Salah revealed the details of the moment he broke down in tears in front of the “Kop” crowd at Anfield during a moving tribute to his late teammate Diogo Jota, following Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth in the season opener.

Salah scored a goal and celebrated with the famous “Pepe Shark” gesture that Jota used to perform, but the most striking moment came after the final whistle when emotion overwhelmed him amid the fans’ chants for their late friend and teammate.

Mohamed Salah: I Wasn’t Ready to Cry

In an honest interview with Men In Blazers, Salah said, “I wasn’t ready for that moment. I usually clap to thank the fans after the match, but when I stood in front of the Kop and heard them chanting Diogo’s name, my emotions broke down.”

He explained that the moment brought back memories of his friend, leaving him overwhelmed with tears amid an emotional atmosphere shared by the fans.

A New Role for Salah in the Dressing Room

Salah, who has spent eight years with Liverpool, has now become one of the team’s veteran leaders.

His role is no longer limited to scoring goals and making a difference on the pitch; it now extends to guiding and supporting young players.

A prime example was his talk with rising talent Rio Ngumouha (17 years old), who became the youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history after his decisive goal against Newcastle.

Salah’s Advice to Young Talent Rio Ngumouha

Salah confirmed that he advised Ngumouha to stay away from the pressures of the media and social media, explaining: “I told him to enjoy the moment with his family and friends, but not to get caught up in seeking external validation because it will be false. The most important thing is to stay humble and work hard.”

He added that some players reach the top early but then struggle later, something he tries to help the young talent avoid.

Unsteady Start and a New Attack Line

Despite criticism about his slow start this season, Salah explained that it is natural given the renewed attack line that includes new names like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak, who recently joined.

He said, “I knew the movements of Jota, Darwin, and Núñez well, but now I need some time to adapt to the new players. However, I am confident that harmony will come soon and will improve my performance.”