Farewell to Salah, Liverpool's 'Egyptian king'

The full appreciation of Mohamed Salah's contributions to Liverpool may crystallize over time. However, as he prepares to bid farewell this Sunday, there exists ample recognition of his influence and achievements.

Salah's tenure established new professional standards that reverberated throughout the club's pursuit of excellence. His record-breaking achievements and the trophies his goals secured for Anfield stand as a testament to his impact. Above all, the joy and unforgettable memories he has provided are immeasurable.

"He set completely new standards for a professional football player—how hard you can work, how much you can invest in recovery and everything," noted Jurgen Klopp in an interview with BBC Sport in March.

Klopp, who managed Liverpool during Salah's acquisition from Roma in 2017 for £34 million, faced skepticism due to Salah's earlier struggles at Chelsea in the Premier League. However, those responsible for scouting him at Liverpool were deeply convinced of his potential.

What followed exceeded even those expectations, as Salah emerged as an all-time great.

With 257 goals, Salah surpassed legends such as Sir Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, and Steven Gerrard. Only Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) have a higher goal tally for the club.

"Mohamed knew what he had to do to become a Liverpool legend and he took it to a different level," remarked Rush. “He couldn't believe how many goals I scored, so he actually said to me: 'Did you count your goals in training?'"

It is also noteworthy that Salah amassed 119 assists during his time with the club.

His remarkable average of a goal or an assist every 94 minutes for Liverpool translates to an impressive 376 goal involvements across 35,326 minutes of play. These accomplishments illustrate the journey of a player who began in Nagrig, a small village in Egypt, only to rise to the ranks of one of the greatest athletes in the world of football.

Salah celebrated a moment of continuity at Anfield last year when he reaffirmed his commitment to the club, embodying the title of 'Egyptian king' in grand fashion. Yet, his departure now arrives a year sooner than anticipated.

His next destination remains uncertain, with Sunday’s match against Brentford marking the conclusion of a significant chapter in his career.

Self-aware of his stardom, Salah takes pride in representing the broader Arab community, while also acknowledging the extensive effort that led him to this pinnacle.

As of now, no overseas player has scored more Premier League goals than Salah’s 193.

On his Liverpool debut against Watford on August 12, 2017, Klopp's message to the new recruit was succinct: "Welcome to the Premier League." Liverpool found themselves trailing 2-1 at halftime, but Salah made an immediate impact, scoring in the second half alongside team-mates Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

The attacking trio of Salah, Firmino, and Mane showcased exceptional chemistry, earning acclaim globally as they achieved remarkable success over five years together.

This unique partnership, comprised of players from Egypt, Senegal, and Brazil, exemplified sport's capacity to bring diverse talents together. "They scare me, they're dangerous," was Pep Guardiola's assessment.

While Salah and Mane were not the closest of friends, they maintained an effective working relationship, with Firmino often likening himself to a "firefighter" in moments of tension. Those within Liverpool recognized that the rivalry between Salah and Mane enhanced their individual performances.

Salah's pursuit of excellence has been characterized by relentless ambition and dedication to becoming the best.

"A footballer to the absolute core of his being," was how one Liverpool staff member described him.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk commented, "Mo is not a big talker, but he's definitely a leader by example. Those are the qualities I'll miss."

There's a notable anecdote about Salah questioning Ben Foster on the direction he would have dived had there been a penalty during a 5-0 victory over Watford. His meticulous attention to detail became an inspiration for younger players, leading them to emulate his work ethic.

Colleagues describe Salah as both engaging and attuned to the perceptions of others. A pivotal change during his time at Liverpool involved a focus on fostering positivity and displaying a brighter demeanor, largely influenced by Andy Robertson, who encouraged him to enhance his body language.

It came as no surprise when Salah displayed frustration at Leeds in December over being benched for three consecutive games. His prior streak of starting 53 Premier League matches had created a pivotal moment leading to a breakdown in his relationship with head coach Arne Slot.

Ultimately, the situation reached a point where both Slot and Liverpool's management approved Salah's decision to terminate his contract a year early, allowing him to leave on a free transfer this summer.

'Definitely one of the toughest players I have faced'

This past campaign has posed significant challenges for the Liverpool squad, with Salah being notably affected by the passing of team-mate Diogo Jota in July.

"Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me about going back to Liverpool after the break. Team-mates come and go but not like this," Salah conveyed on social media last summer.

Witnessing Salah’s emotional reaction in front of the Kop during Liverpool's first match after Jota’s passing was a poignant reminder of his humanity.

On the pitch, Salah often displayed extraordinary prowess. At his peak, he approached the competitive levels of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their prime.

During his inaugural season with Liverpool, he achieved a combined total of 58 goals and assists, averaging one goal contribution every 71 minutes. Last season, he maintained his form with an impressive 57 goal involvements, averaging one every 79 minutes. His consistency and longevity are remarkable attributes.

An insightful comment from 17-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha revealed how Salah emphasizes that top players, beyond their technical skills, excel in scoring goals and creating assists. The end product is paramount for Salah, who leads in goal involvements (283) for a single club in Premier League history.

While focusing on the statistics is tempting due to their extraordinary nature, the essence lies in the cherished memories.

For Klopp, a defining moment was winning the Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid in 2019, a year after a difficult loss to Real Madrid in Kyiv. That victory marked their first trophy at the club, shared between Klopp and Salah.

A Liverpool supporter once shared how he refrained from watching replays of Salah’s penalty against Tottenham or Divock Origi’s late goal, wishing to preserve the emotional experience of that moment.

The list of Salah's iconic goals is extensive, including his mesmerizing strike against Everton that clinched the FIFA Puskas Award in 2018 and his deft chip against Manchester City in the Champions League—celebrated with outstretched arms to embrace the applause of fans.

Then there was the powerful shot into the net against Chelsea at Anfield, which Klopp humorously noted would still be traveling if it hadn't met the goalpost, and the swift breakaway goal at Old Trafford during Liverpool's first Premier League title-winning season.

Salah has made Old Trafford a personal domain, scoring the most Premier League goals there than any visiting player.

The memorable solo goal against Manchester City at Anfield remains vivid for Aymeric Laporte, who recalled the difficulty of defending against Salah's exceptional skill: “I remember that goal perfectly. I was thinking that he was left-footed, so I went to my right side to block the shot with my left, but he cut to the right and managed to score with his weaker foot. Salah was always on fire when he played against us and definitely one of the toughest players I have faced. We always struggled against Liverpool, and Pep and I knew the threat he posed."

From celebratory gestures with his shirt lifted to bowing in Sujood - another unforgettable element of Salah’s legacy - he has left an indelible mark.

For generations of Liverpool supporters, he remains the epitome of greatness.

"The legacy speaks for itself—the numbers, the trophies, the culture he established under Klopp," stated former Reds captain Gerrard. "As a fan, we appreciate everything he has accomplished. He ranks among the club's legends. Mohamed Salah is cherished by us all."

His influence is underscored by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who equated Salah with Gerrard as "both number one" in his assessment of Liverpool legends.

Following Klopp's farewell season in 2023-24, Salah stated, "We understand that trophies are what count, and we will do everything possible to achieve that next season. Our fans deserve it, and we will fight hard."

Salah and Liverpool delivered on that commitment, with the 2024-25 season marking one of the finest in English football history as he achieved the highest totals for goals and assists in the Premier League during Liverpool's journey to securing their 20th title.

Interestingly, a comparatively modest final season serves to highlight Salah's remarkable earlier achievements. His tally of 13 goals and 10 assists this term reflects solid performance, yet contrasts significantly with his past seasons.

Nevertheless, Salah recognizes that he has already etched his name in history and has attained legendary status.

As he approaches the conclusion of nearly nine impactful years since his arrival, it is evident that all excellent journeys must reach a conclusion.

What commenced in the depths of the Nile Delta during the 1990s culminated in a transformative experience in Merseyside, where Salah’s legacy will endure through a mosaic on the Kop, just as he embarks on the forthcoming chapter of his life.

"He knows this was the perfect club for him, and he was the ideal player for us," stated Klopp.

The right player, for the right club, at the right time. This has epitomized Salah's journey, and his contributions will echo in the annals of football history. As Klopp aptly remarked: "It's not so important what people think when you come in; it's much more important what they think when you leave."