Mohamed Salah to leave Liverpool ahead of contract expiry
The 33-year-old forward, who has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances since joining in 2017, reached an agreement with the Premier League champions to exit early, bringing to an end a trophy-laden spell at Anfield.
In a statement shared on social media, Salah expressed his emotions about leaving the club. “Unfortunately the day has come,” he said, describing Liverpool as “not just a football club” but a defining part of his life and career.
Salah’s departure follows a challenging ninth season at Anfield, during which his form declined and he was briefly dropped from the starting lineup late last year. The situation led to public tension, with the Egyptian international accusing the club of having “thrown me under the bus” in comments to reporters.
Despite the circumstances of his exit, Salah leaves as one of the most decorated players in Liverpool’s modern history. He won eight major trophies with the club, including two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, and formed part of a prolific attacking trio alongside Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino under former manager Jürgen Klopp.
He currently ranks third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, and has won the Premier League Golden Boot four times.
Liverpool described Salah as “one of the greatest players in the club’s history,” adding that his time at Anfield had been “remarkable.” The club said Salah chose to announce his decision early out of “respect and gratitude” toward supporters.
There has been no official confirmation of Salah’s next destination. His departure on a free transfer means Liverpool will not receive a transfer fee. He had previously been linked with a move to Saudi club Al-Ittihad, which reportedly made an unsuccessful bid in 2023.
Salah had signed a contract extension last year keeping him at Liverpool until 2027, following a season in which he played a key role in securing the club’s 20th English league title. However, a reported fallout with manager Arne Slot this season appears to have contributed to his early exit.
After returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah regained his place in the team but struggled to reproduce his peak form. He is currently sidelined with a muscle injury sustained in a recent Champions League match.
Liverpool’s final Premier League fixture of the season is scheduled against Brentford FC on May 24, with tributes to Salah expected later in the year as the club prepares to bid farewell to one of its modern legends.
