Mohamed Salah to leave Liverpool at end of the season

Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday, after nine years at Anfield during which he established himself as one of their greatest players.

Liverpool said Salah, 33, had “reached an agreement” to leave the team a year before his contract expired.

Sources have told ESPN that the deal would see Salah leave on a free transfer.

“Mohamed Salah will end his illustrious career with Liverpool Football Club at the end of the 2025-2026 season,” Liverpool said in a statement.

“The striker has agreed a deal with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield.

“Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to supporters as soon as possible in order to be transparent about his future due to his respect and gratitude towards them.”

The Egyptian winger’s 255 goals in 435 appearances places him third on Liverpool’s all-time list, behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285), while he is fourth among the Premier League’s all-time top scorers with 191 goals.

Since arriving from Roma in 2017, Salah has helped Liverpool win eight major titles, including two Premier Leagues and a Champions League.

“I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how much this club, this city, these people would be a part of my life,” Salah said in a video featuring highlights of his time at Liverpool published on X.

“Liverpool is not just a football club. It is a passion, it is a history, it is a spirit. I cannot explain it in words to anyone who is not part of this club. We celebrated victory, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the most difficult times of our lives. I would like to thank everyone who has been part of this club throughout my time here, especially teammates past and present.

“And to the fans, I don’t have enough words. The support you showed me during the best times of my career and you supported me in the most difficult times. It’s something I will never forget and always keep with me.

“Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will always be one of you. This club will always be my home, for me and for my family.”

Salah signed a two-year contract extension last April, tying him to the club until the end of the 2026-27 season, after being the star player in the team’s march to a record 20th English league title.

However, his form has declined this season and he was dropped for three consecutive games at the end of last year. Salah later gave an explosive interview to reporters, accusing the club of throwing him “under the bus” amid the team’s run of disappointing results.

He also suggested he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot and questioned whether he would stay at the club until the January transfer window. He was then left out of the squad for a Champions League match with Inter Milan.

Although Salah was reinstated into the squad after this winter’s Africa Cup of Nations, he has struggled to rediscover the form that saw him become the Premier League’s top scorer on four occasions.

Liverpool return to action after the international break with an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City and meetings with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16.

The club have seven Premier League matches remaining as they fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“With much to play for this season, Salah is firmly focused on trying to achieve the best possible end to the campaign for Liverpool,” the club said, “and, therefore, the time to fully celebrate his legacy and achievements will follow later in the year when he bids farewell to Anfield.”

Beth Lindop of ESPN, The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.