Despite a season that has not went to plan for himself or his team, the Egyptian legend has the chance to leave the Premier League with a final reminder of his brilliance.
Given how the last few months – and the season as a whole – have unfolded for Mo Salah, it may not have come as a major surprise to hear that the 33-year-old Egyptian has decided to cut his two-year deal short and leave Liverpool as a free agent at the end of the season.
The writing initially seemed to be on the wall in December, when Salah made what looked at the time like a calculated stop in the press zone after Liverpool’s 3–3 draw with Leeds, claiming he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot and had effectively been made the scapegoat for his team’s dismal title defence.
But he went to AFCON, and by the time he returned the storm had settled, allowing him to slot back into the side, even if both his and Liverpool’s form remained a concern. It therefore seemed like perfect timing when he announced his decision to leave, coming just after his best performance of the season in a 4–0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16.
A season of tragedy, inconsistency and disappointment
The 2025/26 season was meant to be one in which Arne Slot’s champions would go from strength to strength, with new signings adding depth to an already impressive squad, spearheaded by the Egyptian, who had been crowned PFA Player of the Year for a third time.
But on the eve of the season, the tragic death of Diogo Jota turned the team on its head, and the emotion of losing his friend poured out of Salah after their 4–2 opening-day win over Bournemouth.
It’s easy to forget, in the world of professional sport, how deeply the loss of a teammate and friend can affect both body and mind. You could forgive any of Jota’s teammates for a drop-off in form and general happiness after such a tragic occurrence.
But as the season wore on and results began to turn, the focus fell on Salah, who was not only struggling creatively compared to previous seasons, but whose lack of defensive contribution became increasingly exposed without a player like Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose tireless work-rate had previously helped cover for him.
Then, suddenly, the unthinkable happened and he was dropped from the starting XI. Or was it unthinkable? To many eyes, it looked as if Slot had brought in his new signings to create a two-man attack, and suddenly Salah had become the square peg in a round hole – which, along with many other reasons that no one but Salah could confirm, led to his stunning comments in the press.
Press comments a sign of ego, annoyance or unresolved realisation?
At the time of Salah’s comments to the press in December, outrage erupted on all sides. On one hand, people branded him a traitor and an egomaniac, claiming he thought he was too big for the club and should be sold as quickly as possible. On the other, he was hailed as a hero for speaking out about his manager’s perceived ineptitude, with many arguing that Slot only won the title thanks to Klopp leaving behind a capable squad – and that the manager, not Salah, should face the guillotine.
Was there ego? Almost certainly. But considering the contribution he has made to Liverpool since joining in 2017, along with the ferocity of his playing style and the standards he has maintained for the better part of nine years, ego is easily forgivable. You cannot reach the levels Salah has without at times immersing yourself in your own self-belief.
And let’s be clear – any ego Salah may have is tempered by the fact that he uses his fame to speak out on various injustices around the world, including the loss of lives in Palestine. He is a player of immense stature, yet by all measures a good person, revered in Egypt for his very public displays of care and compassion.
The reason for his outburst is more likely the more natural one: he is a professional approaching the tail end of his career, increasingly unable to reproduce the consistency of brilliance he could summon with ease just months before.
That dawning realization would hurt any professional, let alone one of Salah’s ability. Sometimes it is easier to throw a grenade and deflect from the issue rather than face the reality that sport, despite its magic and wonder, is fickle. The body governs the person, and when it starts to slow, the aura inevitably begins to wane as well.
Leaving on a high would be the best tribute to the Egyptian King
There is no doubt that teams around the world will be checking their wallets to see if they can meet the wage demands Salah will command. But for Salah, the focus should not be on the next chapter, but on the now.
After giving everyone a glimpse of his best against Galatasaray, this is a chance for Anfield’s Egyptian King to write one final chapter, further cementing his already legendary status with the club and its fans.
He has seven more Premier League matches to help Liverpool secure Champions League football for next season. There are also tantalising quarter-finals against Manchester City in the FA Cup and PSG in the Champions League. Salah could still finish the season with two trophies, even in what has been a largely ‘disappointing’ campaign.
And it would be no surprise now, with all the shackles off, if he unleashes that left foot one final time and leaves the Premier League with memories of a player who, at times, played at such a level that the word “King” did not come close to describing him.
