Mohamed Salah is to leave Liverpool at the end of this season, the Premier League champions announced this week.
Image: PAUL ELLIS / AFP
Mohamed Salah. In a world as crazy as it is today, there are arguably no two more divisive words placed alongside each other. Yet somehow, they united a famous city, and millions of people all around the world.
Perhaps due to being a Muslim myself, “Mo” Salah was always more than just a footballer. He showed the world that despite being a devout follower of the Islamic faith, his only act of terrorism was to waltz past opposition defenders through his incredible speed. And the only missiles he wanted to unleash were the ones emanating from his famous left foot that ended up bulging the net.
“Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah, Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah, if he’s good enough for you, he’s good enough for me, if he scores another few, then I’ll be Muslim too,” Liverpool fans sang for nine years. He went on to score 255 — which places him third on the Reds' all-time goalscorers list — celebrating each goal by bowing down to kiss the turf in appreciation of a higher power.
Yes, there were some busting shirt-ripping celebrations too, which showed off his immaculate physique, but for the most part, Salah was the epitome of humbleness. It endeared him to the Reds' faithful. They did not care that he came from the mystical Pharaoh Lands. Instead, it was embraced, lauded, and earned him the nickname “The Egyptian King”.
Equally, the empathy he showed for his deceased former strike-partner Diogo Jota, who had suffered a fatal car crash in the summer, when standing alone before the Kop End, and wiping away the tears after the 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, will forever be etched into his legacy. This is, after all, a club whose fans and players are forever linked through pain and tragedy.
“I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, this people, would become part of my life,” Salah said in his farewell message on social media. “Liverpool is not just a football club, it’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit.
"To the fans, I don't have enough words. The support you showed me through the best time of my career, and you stood by me in the toughest times. It's something I will never forget and something I will take with me always. Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will be always one of you. This club will always be my home, to me and to my family. Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone."
Salah will depart Anfield at the end of the season. There are some who may feel that it is a season too late. That his lowest return of 10 goals in all competitions — he had never previously scored less than 23 goals in all competitions for Liverpool since arriving in 2017 — this year is testament to his waning powers.
That, at 33 years old, his bustling energy may finally be on reserve. And that his outburst at Elland Road after the 3-3 draw, when he claimed that he “was being thrown under the bus”, was like a heavyweight boxer trying to throw his last punch while his corner had already waved the white towel.
For me, this is all irrelevant. Liverpool’s problems during this disappointing season stretch way beyond Salah. He was likely the most frustrated that he could not single-handedly change around the team’s fortunes like he had done on so many, many occasions.
I am not going to list all Salah’s achievements here. The records, goals, and trophies are all easily accessible. But I do have a personal favourite. He is the highest goalscorer — 16 goals — for Liverpool against the arch-enemy Manchester United.
It is evidence that he knew the importance of the Red Devils fixture to Liverpudlians. That there was simply no bigger game on the annual calendar, and suitably always kept his best performances for United.
The stoppage-time winner at Anfield during the championship-winning season of 2019/20 was particularly special. It provided the belief that the coveted Premiership championship was indeed coming back to Anfield. Salah helped reawaken a sleeping giant on Merseyside and brought silverware back to one of Europe’s greatest clubs.
But most importantly, he put smiles on people’s faces regardless of religion, race or creed at a time when it was most needed. And for that reason, he will always be my greatest Liverpool footballer ever.