Mohamed Salah brought a wave of emotion crashing across the footballing world as he officially announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the current season. The Egyptian forward, one of the most prolific players in Premier League history, confirmed the news through a heartfelt video shared on social media, describing his nine-year spell at Anfield as the greatest time of his life. He will leave as a free agent this summer, with his next destination yet to be determined.
Salah’s Liverpool CV is the envy of virtually any forward who has played the game: 255 goals in 435 appearances, four Premier League Golden Boots, three PFA Player of the Year awards, and a medal haul that includes two league titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and two League Cups. Signed from Roma for £34 million in 2017, he became the transformative force that helped Liverpool scale the highest peaks of English and European football. His goals-per-game rate is among the best the division has ever seen.
The personal nature of Salah’s farewell message struck a chord with millions of supporters who had watched him grow from an exciting wide attacker into one of football’s true icons. He spoke of Liverpool’s spirit as something that defies description, and credited the city and its people for making him feel genuinely at home over nine remarkable years. His promise to always consider Anfield his home left many fans visibly moved.
This season has brought its share of turbulence, most notably the public falling-out with manager Arne Slot that saw Salah dropped for a high-profile Champions League fixture. His response was typically defiant, returning to form with a goal of breathtaking quality against Galatasaray in the Champions League that saw him become Africa’s all-time leading scorer in the competition. At 33, with his Liverpool days numbered, he continued to produce footballing moments worthy of the greatest stages.
Liverpool’s official statement emphasised that Salah had specifically requested to make his announcement early, driven by his respect for the supporters who deserved clarity. Andy Robertson’s social media tribute described him as one of the greatest ever to pull on the Liverpool shirt, praising both his mentality and his skill in equal measure. As the season heads toward its conclusion, the football world can only hope Salah gets the farewell he so richly deserves.