KATHMANDU: Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, ending an extraordinary eight-year spell at Anfield.

The 33-year-old Egyptian forward, one of Liverpool’s all-time leading scorers, departs with 255 goals in 435 appearances, having helped the Reds secure eight major trophies, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.

Liverpool described the move as a “mutual agreement” and paid tribute to Salah as “one of the greatest players in the club’s history.”

Salah’s heartfelt goodbye

In a moving social media post, Salah wrote: “Unfortunately, this day has come. I never imagined this club, this city, and its people would become such a huge part of my life. Liverpool is more than a football club—it’s emotion, history, and soul.”

Since arriving from AS Roma in 2017, Salah formed a deadly attacking trio with Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino under Jürgen Klopp, thrilling fans with his pace, skill, and incredible goal-scoring feats.

Now Liverpool’s third-highest scorer behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, Salah has also claimed the Premier League Golden Boot four times, cementing his status as a modern-day legend.

Challenges this season

This season has not been without its difficulties. Salah publicly clashed with manager Arne Slot in December after being benched against Leeds United, claiming he was unfairly blamed.

Returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, he struggled to regain peak form and recently suffered a muscle injury in the Champions League clash with Galatasaray.

Liverpool’s final Premier League match against Brentford on 24 May could provide a fitting farewell for Salah at Anfield, with the Reds also preparing to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Early Life and Rise

Born on 15 June 1992 in the small Egyptian village of Nagrig, Salah began playing football as a child before joining El Mokawloon SC’s youth academy. His talent quickly earned him a professional debut at just 18, setting him on the path to European football.

He moved to Swiss side FC Basel in 2012, winning the Swiss Super League and attracting attention from top European clubs.

Salah then joined Chelsea in 2014, but struggled for playing time, leading to loan moves at Fiorentina and AS Roma, where he truly established himself as a world-class winger.

Liverpool Career Highlights

Salah’s arrival at Liverpool in 2017 for a then-club record fee transformed the team’s attack. Under Jürgen Klopp, he formed a lethal front three alongside Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino. His speed, dribbling, and clinical finishing quickly made him a fan favorite.

• Premier League Golden Boot: 4 times

• Notable Records: Most goals in a 38-game Premier League season

• Major Honors: 2 × Premier League, 1 × Champions League, 4 × FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, multiple domestic cups

International Career

A key figure for Egypt, Salah has been instrumental in leading the national team to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

He has earned over 90 caps and scored more than 50 goals for his country.

Challenges and Controversies

This season has seen challenges for Salah. He was involved in a public dispute with manager Arne Slot after being benched in a Premier League game against Leeds United.

Returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah struggled to regain peak form and suffered a muscle injury in a Champions League match against Galatasaray.