Mohamed Salah was in the starting line-up in his Liverpool farewell against Brentford on Sunday, days after making explosive comments about the team’s playing style under manager Arne Slot.
The “Egyptian King” leaves Anfield after a glittering nine-year spell at the club, bidding farewell alongside Scotland defender Andy Robertson, who also joined in 2017.
Salah, 33, was last to emerge from the tunnel into bright sunshine at Anfield, accompanied by his two daughters. Robertson, 32, was accompanied by his three children.
Both names were met with a deafening roar when introduced by the stadium announcer in a party atmosphere.
Banners in the crowd celebrated both players, one saying “Thank you legends”. Another said: “We Have Gone From Great To Glory. Salah Is Our King”.
In a social media post following last week’s defeat at Aston Villa, Egypt forward Salah said he wanted to see a return to “heavy metal football”, referring to the approach under former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
The post was liked by multiple members of the current squad, who have endured a painful campaign after winning the Premier League last season.
Slot, speaking on Friday, said he did not think Salah’s comments had undermined him.
“I think Mo was really happy with the style we played last year as it lead to us winning the league,” he said in a pointed remark.
“Football has changed, football has evolved but we both want what is best for Liverpool and that is for us to compete for trophies, which we haven’t done this season.”
Salah has scored 257 goals since his arrival at Anfield, behind only Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.
He has also won multiple trophies at the club including the Champions League and two Premier League titles.
Salah, whose departure was announced in March, told reporters in December his relationship with Slot had broken down.
He was the Premier League’s top-scorer last season, with 29 goals, but his form has dipped dramatically in the current campaign and he has managed just seven goals in the league.
Liverpool are set to take the fifth Champions League spot. They went into Sunday’s final day of the Premier Leage season three points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth with a significantly better goal difference.
AFP
