Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the current season, departing a year before his contract expires in a move that ends a historic partnership earlier than expected. The announcement, made by both the club and the player on Tuesday, concludes the career of one of Liverpool’s most prolific forwards and a global football icon.
Salah, 33, has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Roma in 2017. His tally places him third on the club’s all-time scorers list. During his tenure, he won two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and four Premier League Golden Boot awards. Liverpool described him as “one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history,” stating he reached an agreement to depart to provide transparency for supporters.
The departure follows a notable dip in form during his ninth season at Anfield. Salah was dropped for a sequence of games late last year, after which he publicly criticized the club’s management, stating in an interview that it “has thrown me under the bus.” Although he returned to favour after the Africa Cup of Nations, he has struggled to regain his peak output. He signed a contract extension in 2024, tying him to Liverpool until 2027, making this early exit unexpected.
In his farewell Instagram post, Salah expressed profound personal connection to the club and city. “I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life,” he wrote. Liverpool echoed his sentiment, noting his wish to announce the decision early out of “respect and gratitude” for fans. His current contract situation means he will leave as a free agent, denying Liverpool a potential transfer fee. A reported bid from a Saudi Arabian club was rejected in 2023.
Teammates paid tribute, with defender Andrew Robertson praising Salah’s mentality as “second to none.” Salah is currently sidelined with a muscle injury but Liverpool stated he remains focused on contributing to the team’s final matches, including Premier League fixtures and a Champions League quarter-final.
The club indicated that formal celebrations of his legacy will occur after the season ends, with his final Anfield appearance set for the last home game against Brentford on May 24. Salah’s exit marks the conclusion of a transformative era for Liverpool, during which he formed a legendary front three and became the face of the club’s recent successes. His next destination remains unconfirmed.
