Liverpool

Al-Ittihad had a £150m offer rejected for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in 2023 and now the Saudi Pro League side have revived their interest in the 33-year-old Egypt international, who will be available on a free transfer after leaving the Reds in the summer. (ESPN), external

Salah did not get the interest in his services he might have hoped for in the January transfer window and, in negotiating his departure this summer, Liverpool's owners - Fenway Sports Group - thought holding out for a fee would make a difficult situation worse. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Liverpool have been in regular contact with former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who won the Champions League with the Anfield club as a player, and the Spaniard would be willing to take over from Arne Slot in the summer if certain conditions are met. (Bild - in German), external

Liverpool have been linked with replacing Salah with France winger Michael Olise but Bayern Munich are "relaxed" about the 24-year-old's future as he is under contract until 2029 and does not have a release clause. (Sport Bild - in German), external

Barcelona are keen on Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni but could face competition from Liverpool in any contest for the 26-year-old's signature. (Football Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Lola Katz Roberts
Fan contributor

Image source, Getty Images

If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor.

Mohamed Salah's arrival at the club in 2017 was the catalyst for a return to riches. The mythologised 70s and 80s, happening before our eyes again.

Champions League titles, Premier League titles, winning the lot again - it was unimaginable as the club teetered on the brink of administration in 2010.

That's what Salah means: glory, greatness, always.

There are not enough superlatives in the English language to convey his relentless brilliance, but there are two tenets of truth to hold on to as the news breaks that he will leave the club at the end of this season:

1. 348 days ago a new contract was signed, securing his future at the club until 2027.

2. The brilliance has relented this season.

This is a short story of what has gone wrong for Liverpool this season, something has snapped internally.

The highest-paid player - and deservedly so - has not delivered to his usual standards on the pitch this season and not playing your highest-paid forward is not sustainable.

So Liverpool's highest-paid player, one of the greatest to ever do it, will leave at the end of this season. All of that is fine and to be expected - setting aside the emotional impact of losing a person who has been a constant in my life for almost a decade.

What isn't fine is what happened after the Leeds game or the cameras panning to the bench to capture ironic laughter after being substituted. For a man who bends time to his will on the football pitch, he has always had a strong sense of timing off it.

The timing of this announcement is not fine. Just like the Leeds comments were systematically delivered to render maximum impact, so this announcement has arrived like a punch to the gut.

The future of the manager is in doubt and instead of two weeks of reflection to draw breath before one final push, we have this.

Thank you Mo. Thank you a thousand times - but you could have waited. Nobody is bigger than Liverpool Football Club, not Bill Shankly, not Steven Gerrard, not Jurgen Klopp, not Mohamed Salah.

Find more from Lola Katz Roberts on the Goal Difference podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to tell us how you think Liverpool will go about replacing Mohamed Salah, whether it be existing players stepping up or new signings coming in.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Jack: There is no other way to say this, Mohamed Salah is simply irreplaceable. In today's market, he is a huge bargain for what he has given to the club. The skills, the goals, the assists, the pure passion. Liverpool could throw another £450m at the hole and they couldn't find anybody better. They will have to choose who comes in as the next right-wing superstar incredibly wisely, but there will always be a huge void on our right-wing that nobody can fill.

Ken: It will be almost impossible to replace the attacking output of Mohamed Salah; players like that are rare. I hope Liverpool have a plan which involves enticing Michael Olise from the Bayern juggernaut and the talented Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. Otherwise, we could be looking at a spell in the wilderness before competing for major trophies again.

Eric: Get real. What will we do if Kevin Keegan leaves? What will happen if Kenny Dalglish retires? Mo Salah is a great player, of that there is no question, but life goes on. Respect his legacy and support this team going forward.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Regardless of where Mohamed Salah ends up in the summer, it will be quite the sight seeing him no longer in Liverpool colours.

Here, BBC Sport assesses the 33-year-old's options, looking at who could realistically afford him and which countries have shown interest in the past.

Destination Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly the first place to consider as his most likely destination.

There is the obvious link with Salah widely seen as a poster boy for both the Middle East and Arab world and such a connection will be massive.

In 2023, Al-Ittihad made a £150m bid that was turned down by Liverpool.

The 'big four' of Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, who are owned by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF), know the impact Salah could have on the league as a global product.

Away from these clubs, Al-Qadsiah, who are managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, are backed by Aramco, Saudi's oil company, and may well be interested.

But can the league afford him?

"Without a doubt," says football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

Join Messi in the MLS?

Could Salah follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and head to the United States?

The wages would not be as big as in Saudi Arabia but he would still earn a hefty sum.

The MLS has a wage cap but also the Designated Player rule – known as the David Beckham rule – that allows teams to buy star players. This has been used before for the likes of Beckham, Messi and Luis Suarez.

In December, MLS commissioner Don Garber publicly encouraged Salah to consider a move to the US, external.

"Obviously... we'd welcome him with open arms," he was reported to have said at the time.

Remain in Europe?

By his immense standards, Salah is having a below-par season but he still has 10 goals and nine assists across all competitions.

Crucially, Salah still believes he's good enough to compete in the Champions League and he could very much be an asset for top European sides.

However, it is hard to see Salah moving to another top Premier League club.

"Only a handful of European clubs could afford his wages," says Maguire. "If he was to move in Europe, then the realistic options are Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona but the proposition would have to be attractive enough for him."

So all the analysis points to Saudi against the MLS at this stage.

Read more on Salah's possible destinations

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

One of the interesting aspects of Mohamed Salah's announcement is the effect it will have on him between now and the end of the season.

Much has been made of Salah's form this season - and that of the team's form - as they battle to qualify for the Champions League.

It must have been on his mind for a while, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if - now that everything is out in the open - he plays with a freedom that will allow him to find his best form.

The fans will let him know how much he means to them. He will have huge support and that can only give him a massive boost. He will want to savour every game he plays between now and the end of May.

Salah has achieved just about everything and he will go down as one of Liverpool's greatest ever players.

If there's an all-time Liverpool XI to compile, you can stick Salah right there on the right-hand side.

There is still much to play for with the FA Cup, Champions League and league placing, so don't be surprised if Salah leaves Liverpool on another huge high.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Liverpool match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

Explore Liverpool content on BBC Sounds

Chloe Bloxam
Fan contributor

Mohamed Salah has given everything to Liverpool for the past nine years. It has been an absolutely joy to watch him take to the pitch and wear the famous red shirt of Liverpool.

He has been an incredible athlete. He has been so dedicated and his work ethic has been through the roof. He has been brilliant to watch but, aside from that, he has been a brilliant human being. He has set records pretty much every time he's walked on to the football pitch.

It is like Liverpool was made for him and he was made for Liverpool - and ultimately it created a perfect storm. A storm that put Liverpool back on their perch, while also making Salah one of the greatest players in history.

He is one of the greatest right-wingers to ever grace the Premier League. He is one of the best right-wingers the world has seen. His stats speak for themselves, they are that of a striker, not a right-winger.

I will be forever grateful for what Salah has done for us. I'm devastated and gutted because he has given me some of the best days of my life, but all good things eventually come to an end.

There aren't enough words to do Salah and what he has done for Liverpool justice. I hope he has adored us fans, adored wearing the badge and adored playing for this club.

We can now give him the reception and goodbye he deserves. He is a Liverpool legend, up there with the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard.

What's left to say aside from thank you so much, Salah.

Thank you for everything you've brought us, for dedicating yourself to being the best version you could be and, ultimately, for putting Liverpool right back where they belong.

Find more from Chloe Bloxam at The Redmen TV, external

Mohamed Salah's statistics at Liverpool are astounding.

Some 435 games, 255 goals and 119 assists in all competitions.

In the Premier League, 310 games, 189 goals and 92 assists. The fourth-highest scorer and the player with the most goals and assists combined in the competition's history.

It is the relentless consistency and longevity that is truly staggering.

Below, Salah's numbers per season show an incredible level over nine years, especially considering the number of games played and the standard Liverpool have been competing at.

His first year at the club in 2017-18 and last season's title-winning domination are the standouts, but 36 goals and assists combined in 2019-20 being the lowest for a full campaign is a number most players would dream of.

Since his arrival in 2017, Salah leads the Premier League for goals, assists, shots on target, chances created from open play and touches in the opposition box.

His creativity cannot be understated, sitting seventh all time for Premier League assists with 92.

He has dominated the league in a way few players ever have, and his numbers are right up there when it comes to looking at Liverpool's history.

Salah is the Reds' third-highest scorer of all time in all competitions and has the most goals in European competition.

His 52 goals is the most in Europe by any player for a single English club, with the list of players who have scored more European Cup or Champions League goals for a single club reading; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Raul, Thomas Muller, Alfredo di Stefano.

Image source, Getty Images

Mohamed Salah will bring the curtain down on his illustrious Liverpool career at the end of this season, and his announcement has been met with an immediate response from inside and outside of the Anfield dressing room.

Vice-captain Andy Robertson led the tributes, having made 338 appearances alongside the Egypt international after signing for Liverpool in the same summer transfer window in 2017.

"Thank you for nine of the best years of our lives with amazing memories on and off the pitch," Robertson wrote on Instagram.

"Watching you become the best at what you do and become one of the best to ever have worn the Liverpool shirt has been a joy to watch and be part of.

"Your mentality is second to none and a lot of people could take note. You have pushed yourself every single day, and always demanded more from yourself and others.

"It's been a pleasure sharing the pitch with you for so long, but even more so being able to call you a friend. You deserve a send-off that reflects your status at LFC - the greatest and second to none."

Joe Gomez, who has been at Liverpool for the entirety of Salah's stint, also posted a tribute on Instagram: "One of the greatest to ever wear the shirt.

"It has been a pleasure having countless hours [on the pitch with you] and watching your greatness first hand.

"Everyone knows about your mentality and work ethic - the numbers just cement your legacy forever.

"Thank you for everything you've done for us. I'll always be grateful for our friendship over all these years. I can't wait to see you celebrated until the very end."

Image source, Getty Images

Salah's imminent departure means Liverpool will have lost two of their longest-serving players on free transfers in consecutive summers, following Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid last summer.

The 27-year-old right-back, who ended a 20-year stint at Anfield, posted on Instagram: "Some journey brother. LEGEND."

Left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas, who is on loan at Serie A club Roma, said: "I remember watching you on the TV and saying that you are one of the great players of our generation.

"Life happens and I had the luck to tell you that in person so many times.

"You are one of the closest and [most] important friendships I've created in my football career so far. A very good listener, a very good advisor and so patient with all my outbreaks.

"I thank you for your everyday company the last five years - the laughs, the talks, the achievements - for pushing me to be a better person and for being my inspiration on and off the pitch.

"PS: We all know that I'm your football bestie."

We asked for your views on the news that Mohamed Salah will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season - and Reds fans have sent us hundreds of replies.

Scroll down this page for a selection of responses that were published on Tuesday, and below are some more of your comments:

Dave: It's been a joy and a privilege to watch Mo since day one. Timing spot on and let's hope this clarity frees him to bag a few before he finishes. Loved every minute, Mo.

Christopher: It's truly sad news that we never wanted to hear but I think it was coming. He will always be a legend and a king. I will miss him consistently breaking records for the club. He has given everything for us over many seasons and I look back on some of the very best years for Liverpool FC, with Mo being such a huge part of that. I wish him and his family all the luck in the future and he will always be welcome at Anfield.

Tom: Salah has been one of the greatest players in this club's history and it should always have been his decision when he moves on. His time at the club has been a resounding success and he's given us fans memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, Mo.

Karen: I feel like I'm losing a good friend. Expected it sooner or later, but gutted all the same. I wish him every success in his next venture. Thanks for everything, Mo. You were simply the best.

Glen: Salah leaving - it doesn't even feel real. Nine years of goals, magic and memories we'll never forget. From that first season to everything he's given this club - pure greatness. One of the best to ever wear the Liverpool shirt. Gutted to see him go. Not sure how we replace him, but nothing but respect and gratitude. A true legend of Liverpool FC.

How can Liverpool replace Salah? Existing players stepping up? New signings?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

This is your Liverpool page. Bookmark it, or if you're logged in on the BBC Sport app, press the bell icon at the top and select news alerts. If you're signed in on a browser, press 'follow' and you'll start seeing more Liverpool content when on the site.

There is only one man who takes centre stage on Wednesday's back pages.

After Mohamed Salah announced he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, "The Egyptian King" is emblazoned across the back of the Express, Telegraph, Mirror and Mail accompanied by words from his emotional farewell message.

Looking to a future without Salah, John Gibbons from The Anfield Wrap told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "So many of that classic 2018 to 2020 team have moved on now.

"Mo Salah will be the next one in the summer, I think along with Andy Robertson, then it's just a couple of them left.

"When legends go it's time for new ones to emerge and a few of the signings we made over the summer are showing signs they can fill these boots.

"We support them, that's what you do as fans - you get behind the new guys and you hope they can emulate the superstars that came before.

"They are standing on the shoulders of giants but so was that great Jurgen Klopp side. The best ones rise up to it an dare inspired by the crowd and stories, and that's what Mo Salah was all about.

"He understood the history of Liverpool and he wanted to write his own history and own stories.

"That's what he's done and achieved and he will be remembered for years and years and years to come."

Listen to the full episode of Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Josh Sexton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

He might be one of my favourites ever, you know.

The inevitable thing, which gets lost in the joy of memories, is that one day they will just be that.

To quote Andy Bernard in The Office (US): "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them."

Because once Mohamed Salah moves on at the end of the season, so too will another part of the football team that captured my heart and imagination as a slightly younger man.

Put some stamps on my passport, those lads did.

Though there is never really a good time to say goodbye, I actually think this might be right for both Salah and Liverpool.

After all the ups and downs that both have been through this season, a parting of ways was always inevitable - but having the time to say goodbye feels fitting.

Who knows how much more upheaval is to come in the summer, but at least we know we'll be saying goodbye on our (Salah and the fans') terms to one of our (Liverpool Football Club's) all-time greats.

Because that's exactly what Salah is. You only have to look at the litany of trophies behind him as he announced his exit to see just what he brought to the table.

Goals led to wins, wins led to trophies, trophies became part of the journey - but it was the journey that was the true joy.

To watch a 'Chelsea reject' blossom into a bona fide Liverpool legend.

There is never really a good time to say goodbye, but I hope the emotion of Mo's exit can provide the lightning in a bottle that sees the Reds' season end on the kind of terms our Egyptian King deserves to leave on.

Winning. Trophies. Champions League football.

Liverpool's bread and butter, but mostly because Mo Salah helped to make it so.

Find more from Josh Sexton on outlets including The Anfield Wrap, external

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The news of Mohamed Salah's Liverpool departure comes as no surprise, given the way events have unfolded this season, but the timing is interesting - with the Egyptian saying on his social channels that this is the "first part of my farewell".

He asked the club to make the announcement as early as possible, out of respect for the supporters and the fact he gets to go on his own terms is the least Salah deserves.

His agent, Ramy Abbas, said: "We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no-one else knows."

At the very least, Salah will want to leave on a memorable note and the decision to part ways will have been immensely tough - even if it was somewhat inevitable -given he and his family, including his wife and two daughters, are settled in the north west of England and admire the British way of life.

"I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life," Salah said on Tuesday.

But there is little doubt he will get the fondest of farewells despite the circumstances of his exit - with the Anfield faithful getting to serenade their main man on at least a few more occasions.

A scroll through the comments on his social media post confirming his exit is enough to highlight how highly he is rated and respected, among his peers and his supporters. Between now and his departure, more tributes will certainly follow.

He will go down categorically as one of the finest footballers to wear the Liverpool shirt.

Go back to June 2017 and Salah's first interview with the club as a 25-year-old.

"I will give 100% and give everything for the club. I am happy to be here and I really want to win something for this club," he said.

Salah has done that and so much more.

Read more analysis from Patel on Salah's exit

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has told BBC Sport it will be "interesting" to see how the rest of the season plays out for Mohamed Salah and the club, comparing Tuesday's news to previous boss Jurgen Klopp's shock announcement he would leave the club at the end of that season in January 2024.

"It's almost taken it out of the club's hands for the way they've dealt with it," said Warnock.

"When Klopp announced he was leaving, every game was a fanfare - everyone wanted to go to the games and watch.

"They didn't end the season the way they wanted with a fairytale ending. If Salah can do that and get to a Champions League final and win that final, it'll be very interesting to see."

Warnock added Liverpool will have weighed up the possible "huge" financial loss in not selling Salah against the money they will save on his wages, which are reportedly about £400,000 a week.

Watch more reaction from Warnock below...

Meanwhile, John Gibbons from The Anfield Wrap said there will be "shock" and "sadness" among Reds fans at the news of Salah's departure.

However, he added: "If you think with your head rather than your heart, it's probably the best thing for everyone. He's our highest-paid player and he's not delivering, and that will hurt him."

Gibbons added Liverpool fans "adore" Salah and that all the discussion around him after he leaves will be about the "joy" he has provided the supporters.

He said: "You feel that every time he steps on the field. He feels the love, adoration, and support of so many supporters."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Mohamed Salah has provided memories to last a lifetime for Liverpool and their global fanbase, helping to win the Champions League, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, EFL Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.

In the Premier League, he has made 310 appearances for Liverpool, with 189 goals and 92 assists so far. This total of 281 goal contributions is the biggest for one club in the competition's history, five more than Wayne Rooney for Manchester United.

Salah possessed the selfish, ruthless streak that is common among all the greats, but the assists figure alone demonstrates he was also a team contributor.

He formed one part of an attacking trident under Jurgen Klopp that was as potent as anything in world football at the time, alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

It was the perfect marriage of pressing, power, skill, pace and threat.

Salah's consistency and fitness was remarkable. His lowest goals total in a full season before this current campaign came in 2019-20 when he 'only' scored 23 as Liverpool won the title for the first time in 30 years.

In his Anfiield career to date, Salah's win rate from 310 Premier League appearances is 63.9%, while from his total of 435 games it is 62.7% - a reflection of glorious years for club and player.

The era of greats such as Mane and Firmino came to a close, but even after Klopp left, Salah produced a season to rank alongside his greatest as he embarked on what resembled a personal mission to bring a 20th title and equal Manchester United's record, back to Anfield in Arne Slot's first season in charge.

Salah's public spat with Slot and his denunciation of the club in December brought the heaviest criticism of his time at Liverpool, but any tarnishing was surely temporary as he was soon rehabilitated - albeit not as the force he once was.

The legacy will always be untarnished and intact.

As he prepares to take his leave, Salah has scored 255 goals in 435 games for Liverpool, putting him third on the club's all-time list, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.

When the dust settles, no-one could argue against the simple fact that Salah has been one of the greatest players ever to pull on a red shirt.

Read more analysis from McNulty

We asked for your views on the news that Mohamed Salah's nine-year spell at Liverpool will conclude at the end of this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Lis: What a great servant Mo has been to Liverpool FC over these past nine years, often winning us games with vital goals. Sadly, all good things come to an end and age takes its toll, as we all know. Wishing you and your family every good wish for the future, Mo, and grateful thanks for being such a wonderful member of Liverpool FC. You brought us success and great joy.

Krys: As much as I haven't always agreed with how he's gone about things, he will leave Liverpool as a bona fide club legend. Better he leaves this way than leave as a panic sale or in anger/bitterness. Good luck to him and I hope he wins something in his final season.

Andrea: Salah is a legend and has been an amazing player for Liverpool. He deserves to leave on his own terms and be remembered for all he's accomplished with the club.

Euan: Truly the end of a spectacular era. It is sad that it is ending but it feels like the time is right to close this dazzling chapter on Liverpool history. Thank you for everything, Mo, you are truly a Liverpool legend.

Watch a selection of Salah's best goals for Liverpool above.

And hit play below to hear The Redmen TV's Dan Clubbe tell BBC Radio Merseyside that fans "can now celebrate Salah" or listen on BBC Sounds here

Explore all Liverpool content on BBC Sounds

Come back to this page on Wednesday for more of your replies and more reaction to Salah's departure at the end of the season.

After Mohamed Salah announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, why not watch the special iPlayer feature on the Egyptian's unlikely rise to global stardom, defying the odds and never giving up on his challenging journey to the top.

Hit play above to watch a clip from the programme and get the whole thing on BBC iPlayer here

Image source, Getty Images

At 18:30 GMT on Tuesday, Mohamed Salah posted a video on social media, external to confirm the news that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

The two-minute video contained some of his best moments at the club and he delivered his farewell message sitting in front of some of the trophies he has won during his nine years at Anfield.

He said: "Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

"I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city and these people would become part of my life.

"Liverpool is not just a football club. It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not part of this club.

"We celebrated victory, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life," added Salah, alongside images of the club's tributes to late team-mate Diogo Jota at the start of this season.

The Egypt winger continued: "I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the team-mates past and present.

"And 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 always be one of you. This club will always be my home, to me and to my family."

He concluded: "Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone."