When Liverpool paid £34 million to Roma for Mohamed Salah in 2017, few could have predicted that the Egyptian winger would one day leave as the club’s third-greatest scorer of all time. Yet that is precisely what happened this week, as Salah announced he will depart Anfield at the end of the season, bringing to a close a career that exceeded the most optimistic projections. The free transfer exit reflects a financial arrangement that works for both parties.
Salah’s nine-year body of work at Liverpool defies brief summary. He netted 255 goals in 435 appearances, winning four Premier League Golden Boot awards along the way. He was instrumental in delivering the club’s first league championship in 30 years and followed it up by helping secure a 20th top-flight title last season. He also conquered Europe, winning the Champions League and becoming the first player from Africa to score 50 goals in that competition — a milestone reached just last week against Galatasaray.
In a video shared with the world, Salah offered a deeply personal reflection on nine years of life on Merseyside. He spoke about a bond with the city and its people that he said he could never have anticipated when he arrived. He described Liverpool as a spirit, a history, and a passion — not simply a football club — and expressed gratitude toward teammates, staff, and supporters who had shaped his experience there. His parting reference to the club’s anthem was both fitting and poignant.
The season has had its share of difficulty. Salah’s relationship with manager Arne Slot became a significant talking point in December when the forward publicly questioned both the coach’s communication and the club’s handling of a poor run of results. He was dropped for a European away fixture before eventually being reinstated and rebuilding his form. The recent performances suggested that, even at 33, Salah remains among the top attackers on the planet when fit and motivated.
His next club is still unknown. His agent Ramy Abbas Issa has carefully avoided making any commitments, suggesting the decision may come well into the summer transfer window. Clubs from the Saudi Pro League, which bid £150 million for Salah as recently as 2023, are expected to renew their interest. But European powerhouses are unlikely to miss the opportunity to sign one of the best players of the past decade. Liverpool’s loss will be someone else’s extraordinary gain.
