Mohamed Salah’s long and illustrious association with Liverpool is drawing to a close. On March 23, 2026, the Egyptian forward confirmed via social media that he will leave the club at the end of the 2025-26 season, marking the beginning of what many fans are calling “the long goodbye” for one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
Salah joined Liverpool from Roma in June 2017 for £36.9 million. Over nearly nine seasons, he has made 435 appearances across all competitions, scoring 255 goals and providing 92 assists in the Premier League alone. He departs having won every major trophy available: the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Individually, he has claimed four Premier League Golden Boots and three PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards. Since his arrival, no player has scored more Premier League goals or recorded more assists.
A Dream That Was Never Meant to End This Way
Less than a year ago, Salah appeared set to remain at Anfield long-term. In the summer of 2025, he signed a contract extension until 2027, rewarding a sensational 2024-25 campaign in which he topped both the Premier League goalscoring and assist charts. At that moment, the future seemed secure.
Yet by December 2025, tensions surfaced. Salah was benched for a Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt in October, a decision that clearly frustrated him. The situation escalated after he was omitted from the squad for a trip to Arsenal. Following a mixed-zone interview at Leeds where he claimed his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down, Salah was left out of the subsequent match against Inter Milan.
Slot described the benching as a difficult but necessary call, but Salah believed he should start every Premier League and Champions League fixture given his contributions. The episode marked the first clear sign that Salah would no longer be an automatic starter, particularly after Liverpool’s significant summer 2025 investment of £450 million, which included arrivals such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitiké.
Talks between the club and Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, intensified during the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2026. Upon Salah’s return, sources indicated a verbal agreement had been reached for both parties to part ways at the end of the season. BBC Sport reported in February 2026 that a summer departure was increasingly likely.
Salah’s Enduring Legacy at Liverpool
Regardless of the circumstances, Salah leaves an indelible mark. He is Liverpool’s third-highest all-time goalscorer behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. His iconic celebration—kneeling and bowing his head in sujood—has become one of the most recognisable images in modern football. For millions of fans worldwide, Salah represented not just excellence but also dignity, faith, and unwavering commitment.
His departure was announced on his own terms. In a heartfelt message, Salah wrote: “I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life.” His agent confirmed: “We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no-one else knows.”
At 33, Salah remains one of the world’s elite forwards. While his next destination is unknown, he departs Liverpool with the club’s gratitude and the fans’ enduring affection.
Reflections on a Remarkable Chapter
Salah’s journey from a relatively unheralded signing in 2017 to global superstar has been extraordinary. He transformed Liverpool’s attack, formed part of Jürgen Klopp’s legendary front three with Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino, and later adapted seamlessly under Arne Slot. His numbers—189 Premier League goals and 92 assists since joining—are staggering.
Yet the manner of his exit feels bittersweet. Many observers note it “wasn’t meant to end like this,” with Salah essentially agreeing to leave on a free transfer rather than seeing out his contract until 2027. The decision reflects shifting priorities at Anfield following significant summer investment and a desire to reshape the squad.
Liverpool supporters will have several more opportunities to celebrate their “Egyptian King.” With the club still competing in the Champions League and FA Cup, Salah could yet add to his trophy collection before departing. When he does leave, Anfield is expected to deliver an emotional send-off worthy of one of its greatest modern icons.
The Broader Impact on Liverpool
Salah’s departure marks the end of an era. He arrived as a key part of Klopp’s rebuild and leaves as one of the club’s most decorated and beloved players. His exit will create a significant void in attack, forcing Slot and the recruitment team to find a worthy successor.
For Salah, the next chapter awaits. Whether he joins a new club in Europe, returns to Egypt, or explores opportunities in MLS or Saudi Arabia, his legacy at Liverpool is already secure. He leaves having given everything to the club and its supporters.
As the long goodbye begins, one truth remains undeniable: Mohamed Salah will forever be remembered as one of the finest footballers to wear the Liverpool shirt.
