Mohamed Salah Announces Liverpool Departure at the End of 2025-26 Season

Mohamed Salah announced on Tuesday that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season, ending a nine-year spell at Anfield that transformed him into one of the club's greatest ever players. The 33-year-old Egyptian made the announcement via a video message posted on social media, addressing supporters directly before the club issued a formal statement on its official website. Liverpool confirmed the news, explaining that Salah had asked to inform fans at the earliest possible opportunity. The departure comes despite Salah having signed a two-year contract extension in April 2025 that was originally set to run until June 2027, with both parties agreeing to an earlier separation.

„Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come. 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 that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not of this club.” — Mohamed Salah via Irish Independent

Liverpool's official statement described the timing of the announcement as a deliberate act of respect toward supporters.

„Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.” — Liverpool F.C. via Reuters

255 goals place him third in Anfield's all-time list Salah arrived at Anfield from AS Roma on June 23, 2017, for a fee of £34 million, a figure that Liverpool and observers now regard as a bargain given what followed. He scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for the club, placing him third on Liverpool's all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, according to the BBC. He also contributed 119 assists across those appearances, according to La Razón. During his nine seasons, Salah won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup, two League Cups, and a Community Shield. He claimed the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions and was voted players' player of the year three times, according to the Irish Independent. Last season he finished as the top scorer and top provider in the Premier League with 29 goals and 18 assists, was voted the competition's best player, and finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or, according to La Razón.

255 (goals) — Salah's total goals for Liverpool in 435 appearances

Premier League: 2, Champions League: 1, FA Cup: 1, League Cup: 2, UEFA Super Cup: 1, FIFA Club World Cup: 1, Community Shield: 1

Relationship with Slot broke down before the departure was sealed The announcement comes against a backdrop of reported tension between Salah and Liverpool manager Arne Slot, which surfaced publicly in December 2025. According to the Irish Independent, Salah accused the club of "throwing me under the bus" in a widely reported interview at Elland Road, and revealed that his relationship with Slot had completely broken down after the manager dropped him from the starting lineup. Salah did not leave during the January 2026 transfer window, but the confrontation opened the door to his eventual departure at the end of the current campaign. He is currently sidelined with a muscle injury and was not included in the most recent Egypt national team squad, according to La Razón. In the current season he has scored five goals and provided six assists, though he missed one month of competition due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the end of his tenure, the club's statement struck a conciliatory tone, emphasizing his legacy and the trophies won together.

Salah's path to Liverpool was not straightforward. He left Swiss club Basel in January 2014 and chose Chelsea over Liverpool at the time, scoring two goals in 19 appearances at Stamford Bridge before moving on. He subsequently developed at Fiorentina on loan and then at AS Roma, where his performances attracted Liverpool's attention. His first goal for Liverpool came in a 3-3 draw at Watford on the opening day of the 2017-18 season. He went on to break the Premier League single-season scoring record in that debut campaign.

Saudi Pro League among potential destinations as free transfer looms Because both parties agreed to terminate the arrangement ahead of the original June 2027 contract expiry, Salah will effectively be available as a free transfer at the end of the season. The Saudi Pro League has confirmed interest in signing Salah, according to the Irish Independent. His next destination has not been formally announced. In his video message, Salah struck a tone of gratitude rather than grievance, closing with a direct reference to Liverpool's famous anthem. The club's statement noted that, with competitive matches still remaining in the season, Salah remains focused on achieving the best possible result for Liverpool before his farewell at Anfield later in the year.

„Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will be always one of you. This club will always be my home, to me and to my family. Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone.” — Mohamed Salah via Irish Independent

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