Mohamed Salah to Leave Liverpool at End of Season

The Mohamed Salah era at Liverpool is coming to an end. The Egyptian forward confirmed Tuesday he will depart Anfield at the conclusion of the current season, bringing a nine-year spell with the Premier League club to a close. Despite signing a two-year contract extension last year, running through June 2027, an agreement has been reached to allow Salah to move on as a free agent.

“Unfortunately, the day has come,” Salah said in a video message posted to his social media accounts. “This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. I wanted to start by saying I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people, would develop into part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. It is a passion, a history, a spirit that I can’t explain in words to anyone not part of this club.”

The club released a statement explaining the timing of Salah’s announcement, stating he “expressed his wish to build this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.”

Salah’s departure marks a significant turning point for Liverpool, and arrives after a season of reported difficulties. The 33-year-old has experienced a downturn in form, leading to being dropped from the starting lineup and a public falling out with manager Arne Slot. He has scored five goals and provided six assists in 22 league appearances this season, a stark contrast to his performance last year when he was the Premier League’s top scorer and creator with 29 goals and 18 assists.

Despite this recent dip, Salah leaves Liverpool as one of its most decorated players. He has won eight trophies with the club, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019. He currently sits third on Liverpool’s all-time leading goalscorer list with 255 goals in 435 appearances, trailing only Ian Rush (346 goals) and Roger Hunt (285).

“We celebrated victories, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest times in our lives,” Salah continued in his farewell message. “I want to thank everyone who is part of this club during my time here, especially my teammates, from the past and the present, and the fans. I don’t have enough words. The support you have given me during my best period of my career and you stood with me during the hardest times… is something I will never forget and something that will stay with me forever.”

He added, “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, for me and my family. Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone.”

The timing of the announcement comes as Salah is currently sidelined with an injury, ruling him out of Egypt’s upcoming international duty in March. He is expected to return in time for Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final tie. Reports from the English press have linked Salah with a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer transfer window.

Salah joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and quickly established himself as a key player, becoming a fan favorite with his skill, pace, and goal-scoring ability. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in multiple seasons and played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph. His impact on the club extends beyond goals and assists; he became a symbol of Liverpool’s resurgence under Jürgen Klopp.

Over his nine seasons with the club, Salah has amassed a remarkable collection of silverware, including two Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two League Cups. In addition to his goal-scoring record, he has also secured four Premier League Golden Boots.

His departure leaves a significant void in Liverpool’s attack, and the club will face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement. The news will undoubtedly be met with mixed emotions by Liverpool fans, who will remember Salah as one of the club’s greatest ever players. His legacy at Anfield is secure, and he will forever be remembered for his contributions to Liverpool’s success.