Liverpool’s iconic forward Mohamed Salah has officially announced that he will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, ending a transformative nine-year spell that cemented his status as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
The Egyptian superstar, whose contract expires this summer, confirmed the decision in an emotional statement, closing a chapter that has defined an era of unprecedented success at Anfield.
My time at Liverpool has been an incredible journey,” Salah said in a video released by the club. I came as a young player with dreams, and I leave as a man with trophies, memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
The fans took me in as one of their own, and I hope I repaid that faith.”The announcement brings months of speculation to an end. Salah’s contract had been set to expire following the 2022/23 season before he signed a three-year extension in July 2022.
That deal now runs its full course, with both player and club agreeing that this summer marks the natural conclusion of a historic partnership.
A Legacy of Records
Mohamed Salah’s arrival from AS Roma for a then-club record £36.9 million in 2017 was met with cautious optimism. Few could have predicted the impact that would follow.His debut season alone rewrote Premier League history.
Salah scored 32 league goals, a record for a 38-game season and registered 44 in all competitions, winning the Premier League Golden Boot, PFA Players’ Player of the Year, and every individual honor available.
That season set the standard for what would become a relentless pursuit of excellence. Across nine seasons, Salah’s numbers rank among the finest ever produced in English football.
He leaves Liverpool with:· Over 240 goals in all competitions· Three Premier League Golden Boots· One Premier League title (2019-20)· One UEFA Champions League (2018-19)· One FIFA Club World Cup· One UEFA Super Cup· One FA Cup· Two League Cups· Multiple individual accolades including PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the YearHis 2024-25 season, at age 32, produced 32 goals and 21 assists in all competitions, numbers that defied conventional expectations of athletic decline and underscored his exceptional fitness and professionalism.
Defining Moments
Few players have produced as many signature moments in Liverpool’s modern history. The breathtaking solo goal against Tottenham in 2017 announced his arrival. The two penalties in the 2019 Champions League final delivered European glory.
The unforgettable strike against Manchester City in 2021. The four-goal demolition of Watford. The audacious backheel goal against Everton.
Beyond the statistics, Salah’s consistency has been his defining trait. He never scored fewer than 23 goals in any full season at Anfield. He adapted from the relentless pressing winger of his early years to a more cerebral playmaker, developing into a complete forward whose intelligence and passing range matched his finishing ability.
The Klopp Connection
Salah’s rise coincided with Jürgen Klopp’s peak years at Liverpool. The German manager’s system was built for the Egyptian’s explosive transitions and relentless pressing, and the relationship between the two was central to Liverpool’s success.
Klopp often spoke of Salah’s professionalism, the dedication to recovery, the obsessive preparation, the refusal to accept mediocrity.When Klopp departed in 2024, Salah remained the constant. Under Arne Slot’s new regime, he has continued to deliver, his consistency unaffected by the managerial transition that reshaped the club.
A Global Icon
Salah’s impact extends far beyond Liverpool. As Egypt’s captain and most celebrated footballer, he has carried the hopes of a nation. His success at Liverpool inspired a generation of young players across Africa and the Middle East, elevating his status to something approaching cultural icon.
His influence transcends football. Salah has been named on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people, awarded the BBC African Footballer of the Year multiple times, and used his platform to advocate for women’s rights in Egypt, against anti-Muslim discrimination, and for charitable causes across his homeland. In Liverpool, his face adorns murals, and his name is chanted alongside the city’s other legendary figures.
What Comes Next
Salah’s next destination remains unconfirmed, though speculation has long linked him with clubs in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League. Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and others have reportedly shown interest, with offers that could make the Egyptian the highest-paid player in world football.
A move to Paris Saint-Germain or a return to Serie A has also been suggested, though Salah’s age and wage demands limit the pool of potential suitors.
Wherever he lands, he will leave Liverpool as one of its most decorated and beloved players. For a club with a history stretching back to 1892, that is no small distinction. He sits alongside Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush, and Billy Liddell in the Anfield pantheon.
Anfield’s Farewell
Liverpool has three home fixtures remaining this season. Each will serve as an extended farewell to a player who has given everything to the shirt. The final home match against Crystal Palace on May 17 promises to be an emotional occasion, one last chance for the Kop to serenade the Egyptian King.
For Salah, the emotion will be profound. This club became my home,” he said. The city became my family. Leaving is difficult, but I leave with my head held high, knowing we achieved something special together.
In an era of football defined by transience, Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool stability, excellence, and moments of magic that will be replayed for generations.
As he prepares to walk out of Anfield for the final time, he does so secure in the knowledge that his place in the club’s history and in the hearts of its supporters is eternal.