Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool. After nine seasons, 255 goals, two Premier League titles, a Champions League and a list of records that may never be broken at Anfield, the Egyptian King has announced the end of his chapter on Merseyside.
Salah posted an emotional video on social media on March 24 to break the news, choosing to do so during the international break to avoid distractions in the run-in. Liverpool confirmed the announcement in a club statement, revealing that an agreement has been reached to cut short his contract by a year. He was under contract until 2027 but will leave as a free agent this summer.
"Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will always be one of you. This club will always be my home," Salah said in his message to supporters.
The departure has been building for months. In December, Salah gave a combustible mixed-zone interview after Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Leeds, claiming he felt like he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club and that his relationship with Arne Slot was non-existent. He was dropped from the squad shortly afterwards before eventually being reinstated. The trust between player and manager never fully recovered.
This season Salah has managed 10 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances, well below the levels that made him one of the greatest forwards of his generation. At 33, with his pace slightly diminished and the dynamics at Anfield having shifted, the mutual decision to part ways is one that most observers saw coming.
His legacy, however, is untouchable. Third on Liverpool's all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. The first African player to score 50 Champions League goals. Four Golden Boots. Moments that will be replayed at Anfield for generations. Jurgen Klopp, who worked with him for six of those nine years, urged Liverpool fans to give him the farewell he deserves before his final home game against Brentford on May 24.
