Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has announced that he will leave the Premier League club at the end of the season, but questions about his next destination and the reasons for his departure remain unanswered.
The 33-year-old Egyptian star confirmed the news in a video message on social media on Tuesday, saying this was the “first part” of parting ways.
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Salah will leave on a free transfer despite having 12 months left on his contract.
Here’s what we know about Salah’s departure.
What is the reason for Salah to leave Liverpool?
Although he did not give a reason for his departure, Salah said at the start of the season that his relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slott did not exist.
The fan favorite accused the club of making him a scapegoat for the English champions’ poor start to the Premier League season, claiming he was “thrown under the bus” after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds in December.
“I don’t know why, but I feel like someone doesn’t want me at the club,” Salah said at Elland Road.
The news may have come as a shock to fans, but the British media had been speculating about Salah’s summer move for some time.
Where will Salah go next?
It is unclear where Salah will go next, although speculation continues about his future and links with a number of clubs around the world.
“We don’t know where Mohamed will play next season, which also means no one knows,” Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas Issa said in a post on X.
Salah has been linked with the Saudi Professional League for several years, with Riyadh-based club Al Ittihad leading the headlines for transfers for the Arab soccer star, but now Salah’s rivals Al Hilal have also joined the list.
Salah could become a central figure in the long-term plans if the 2034 FIFA World Cup is moved to the host city. Italian sportswriter Fabrizio Romano suggested that the Saudi club’s intention was to “use Salah as a symbol of their project and the face of their future projects.”
Another potential destination for Salah could be Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US, where Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez play for Inter Miami and Antoine Griezmann signed with Orlando City this week.
According to British media reports, a move to MLS is currently seen as the “most attractive option”.
What do Liverpool and Salah say about his departure?
Liverpool said they respected Salah’s wish to announce his departure to supporters as soon as possible “out of respect and gratitude to them”.
The club posted multiple posts on social media, quickly praising the ‘King of Egypt’ for his achievements, memorable moments and notable statistics.
In a statement, Liverpool said: “There is still much to play this season and Salah is firmly focused on finishing the season on a high with Liverpool. Therefore, the time to fully celebrate his achievements and achievements will be later this year, when he bids farewell to Anfield.”
How did Salah’s teammates react to the news of his departure?
Former teammate Andy Robertson, who joined Liverpool in the same transfer window as Salah in the 2017-2018 season, wrote a moving tribute: “Watching you become the best at what you do and become the greatest player to ever wear a Liverpool shirt was a joy to watch and be a part of.”
Liverpool’s current players, including Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, commented on Salah’s Instagram post with emojis, calling him a “king” and a “legend”.
Slott posted a photo of himself and Salah on Instagram with the caption: “We had a good run.”
What do the experts say?
Football columnist Jamie Carragher said Salah was one of the greatest players to ever wear a Liverpool jersey. “In the best XI in the history of the Premier League, Salah is a player who is automatically included in the front three, along with (Thierry) Henry and (Cristiano) Ronaldo.”
How many trophies and awards did Salah win with Liverpool?
Salah leaves Liverpool as one of the most decorated players in Premier League history.
During his nine years at Liverpool, having joined from AS Roma in June 2017, he scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, making him the Reds’ third-highest scorer.
The forward’s 281 goal contributions (189 goals and 92 assists) are the most by a player for a single club in league history.
Salah has won the PFA Player of the Year award three times (2018, 2022 and 2025) and won the FIFA Puxas Award in 2018 for his stunning goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in December 2017.
The Kop side favorite has won the Premier League Golden Boot award a record four times, in seasons 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2021-2022 and 2024-2025.
Salah’s eight major trophies at Anfield include two Premier League titles (2019-2020 and 2024-2025), one Champions League title (2018-2019) and an FA Cup win. 1 Cup (2021-2022), 2 League Cups (2021-2022 and 2023-2024), 1 FIFA Club World Cup (2019) and 1 UEFA Championship. Super Cup (2019-2020).
