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Salah confirms departure from Liverpool this summer
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah announced on Tuesday that he will leave the club at the end of the current season, bringing an end to an eight-year tenure marked by record-breaking achievements and six major trophies.
Career highlights at Anfield
Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, Salah has made 435 appearances across all competitions. He is set to feature in no more than 15 more matches for the club before his departure. During his time at Anfield, Salah secured six major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Individually, the 33-year-old has claimed four Premier League Golden Boots and three PFA Players' Player of the Year awards. He leads all players in goals (189) and assists (92) in the Premier League since his arrival at Liverpool. With 255 goals in total for the club, Salah ranks third on Liverpool's all-time scoring list, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.
Contract dispute and strained relations
Salah's exit follows a tumultuous season marked by tensions with manager Arne Slot. The forward was benched and later omitted from the squad entirely after a heated post-match interview at Leeds United in December, where he claimed his relationship with Slot had broken down and alleged that someone within the club wanted him out.
Sources close to Salah indicated that his frustration began earlier, after being left out of the starting lineup for a Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt in October, despite Liverpool's 5-1 victory. Slot defended the decision, but Salah believed he deserved a starting role in every key match, given his contributions to the club.
In the weeks leading up to the Leeds interview, Salah reportedly grew disheartened after meetings with Liverpool's hierarchy, including sporting director Richard Hughes, where he was informed he could face further benchings. As a consequence of the interview, Salah was left out of the squad for the trip to Inter Milan but returned to contribute an assist in a match against Brighton, with Slot later stating there was "no issue to resolve."
Agreement reached for summer exit
While Salah was at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool held discussions with his agent, Ramy Abbas. Upon his return in January, both parties reportedly reached a verbal agreement to part ways at the end of the season. The decision was confirmed last month by BBC Sport, which reported that a summer departure was increasingly likely.
Salah took to social media to announce the news, describing it as the "first part of my farewell." He requested that the club make the announcement early out of respect for the supporters. His agent stated that Salah's next destination remains unknown, adding, "We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no-one else knows."
Legacy and farewell
Despite the circumstances of his exit, Salah is expected to receive a warm send-off from Liverpool fans. In a statement on Tuesday, he reflected on his time at the club, saying, "I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life."
Salah's departure marks the end of an era for Liverpool, where he became one of the most celebrated players in the club's history. His iconic goal celebrations, including the Sujood-a prostration gesture in Islam-have left a lasting impression on fans worldwide. As he prepares to leave, tributes from teammates, rivals, and supporters continue to pour in, underscoring his impact on the game.
Looking ahead, Salah aims to finish his Liverpool career on a high note, with the club still in contention for the Champions League and FA Cup this season. While his future destination remains uncertain, his legacy at Anfield is secure as one of the greatest forwards to wear the Liverpool shirt.
"I will give 100% and give everything for the club. I am happy to be here and I really want to win something for this club."
Mohamed Salah, upon joining Liverpool in 2017
