“Salah bids farewell dramatically: The exit that no one expected.”

The farewell of Mohamed Salah to Liverpool is becoming one of the most emotional and saddest stories in contemporary football. The iconic ‘Egyptian King’, who has won the hearts of fans with his skill and passion, is about to make his final goodbye to the club that saw him shine. With 435 matches throughout a memorable career at Anfield, Salah is set to close a chapter that has left an indelible mark on the history of the Premier League.

The truth is that, regardless of what happens until the end of the season, where Liverpool still aims for glory in the Champions League and the FA Cup, the 33-year-old Egyptian forward has already secured six major trophies since his arrival from AS Roma in 2017. His statistics speak for themselves: four Golden Boots from the Premier League and three PFA Player of the Year titles, in addition to being the league’s top scorer since joining Liverpool, with an impressive 189 goals and 92 assists.

Fans will not soon forget the images of Salah celebrating his goals, kneeling in gratitude, a gesture that resonates deeply with his faith. With 255 goals scored solely for Liverpool, he has seen only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt surpass him on the club’s all-time top scorers list.

However, the way this story ends is, at the very least, bittersweet. What was supposed to be a glorious conclusion has turned into an abrupt exit, with Salah agreeing to shorten his contract and leave Liverpool at no cost in this upcoming summer transfer. Less than a year after renewing his deal until 2027, the situation has changed drastically.

A turning point occurred in December, when Salah, after a game in Leeds, expressed his dissatisfaction with his relationship with coach Arne Slot. Tensions escalated when he was left out of a Champions League match, a decision that left him frustrated, especially considering his history at the club. His discontent was exacerbated by meetings with Liverpool’s management, where it became evident that his status as a starter was at risk.

Speculation about his departure began to gain momentum, especially after a series of conversations with his agent, Ramy Abbas. Starting in January, the parties seemed to reach a verbal agreement about the impending separation, news that did not surprise followers, given the direction events were taking.

Salah, who has shone at every stage of his career at Liverpool, now faces the reality that his time at the club is coming to an end. What could have been a victorious farewell has turned into a narrative of disappointment and change. The future may be uncertain, but his legacy at Liverpool will forever be etched in the memories of fans and the pages of football history. The lingering question is: where will Salah rank among the greatest forwards in the Premier League? With his departure, an era comes to a close, but the legacy of the ‘Egyptian King’ will live on eternally.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.