Mohamed Salah has announced what millions of Liverpool supporters feared but always knew was inevitable — his departure from the club at the end of this season. The Egyptian forward, who has spent nine seasons at Anfield delivering performances of breathtaking quality, will leave as a free agent this summer after agreeing with Liverpool that the time had come to part. His video announcement was one of the most poignant sporting farewells in recent football memory.
Arriving from Roma for a then-significant £34 million in 2017, Salah proved to be one of football’s greatest bargains. He finishes with 255 goals in 435 appearances — third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring list — and a medal haul that spans two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and two League Cups. His four Golden Boot awards and three PFA Player of the Year trophies are the individual hallmarks of a player who set and reset the standards for his position throughout his career.
The farewell message Salah delivered resonated on a deeply human level, stripping away the celebrity and revealing a player who genuinely loved every aspect of his time at Liverpool. He spoke of the city’s people, the club’s culture, and the supporters who never wavered in their devotion even during periods of difficulty. Liverpool, he said, would always be home — not just for him, but for his family as well.
This season has offered both struggle and spectacular achievement in equal measure. The public fall-out with Arne Slot attracted scrutiny, and Salah’s temporary removal from the squad for a Champions League fixture caused significant debate. But his goal against Galatasaray last week — a strike that made him the first African player to score 50 Champions League goals — demonstrated that his quality remains undiminished even as his Liverpool career enters its final weeks. The milestone was met with universal admiration.
Liverpool confirmed the timing of the announcement was at Salah’s specific request, reflecting his desire to treat supporters with the honesty and respect they deserve. Robertson, speaking on behalf of the dressing room, called Salah’s mentality second to none and described the experience of playing alongside him as a rare privilege. As the season moves toward its conclusion, the football world prepares to say a final, formal farewell to one of its true greats.