Falling standards? Or just a poor season?

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Mohamed Salah has hinted that standards are falling at Liverpool, saying he is "happy" that "everything that is going on this season" has made him realise it is the right time for him to depart.

Salah announced he will leave the club at the end of the season in March amid a difficult season and after an interview he gave to reporters in December after Liverpool's draw at Leeds, where he said he was "thrown under the bus" by the club and his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had broken down.

"The season was tough for all of us… I don't want to say much," he has reflected on the campaign.

"I'm happy about it, everything that is going on this season makes me like 'No, it's time to go', so I'm happy.

"The bond of the team is changing so I really hope the guys hold it together and have that for the future."

Salah has helped Liverpool to win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup, Uefa Super Cup, FA Cup and two EFL Cups, as well as the Community Shield, scoring 255 goals which places him third in the clubs' all-time list.

However, this has been a difficult campaign for Slot's side who will finish without silverware and will likely only narrowly qualify for the Champions League.

Salah has observed "concerns" over the mentality within the squad.

"I want the guys to succeed here, I want the club to be there," he told Sky Sports.

"And this is one of my main concerns. I spoke to a member of staff, I spoke also to guys up there, I told them when I leave, you need an example here. You need people to come early to the gym and people look at them - 'Oh he go to the gym, so I need to go.'

"If that didn't happen or doesn't happen I think it will be tricky for this club because it's something very very necessary. You put the standard high, like people have to come early. People have to go gym. People have to look after themselves and I don't want that to change after I leave or anything.