Mohamed Salah warned Liverpool’s dressing room about the pressures of life at Anfield as he prepared for his final appearance for the club. The Egyptian reflected on his legacy. Arne Slot paid tribute to his influence during a title winning season.
And then Salah delivered a message that will linger long after he’s gone.
‘I don’t want to be emotional’
Salah addressed Liverpool’s squad ahead of his final appearance against Brentford. Speaking during a presentation at the club’s training ground alongside Andy Robertson, the forward warned his teammates about the demands that come with representing Liverpool.
Life at Anfield can swing dramatically depending on results. Salah knows that better than most.
“I don’t want to be emotional today, because tomorrow is going to be an emotional day,” Salah said.
“But, I really appreciate every moment I’ve had at this club. I’ve had a great time with all of you, and it’s something I will take with me in the future, so thank you very much. Hopefully, I’ll see you soon again.”
Then came the warning.
‘The best club in the world when you win, the worst when you lose’
“Wait, one more thing I want to say,” Salah continued.
“Being in Liverpool, winning for Liverpool and winning games is the best thing that could happen to you. I think this is the best club in the world when you win something and the worst club in the world when you lose. So you better win next year.”
That’s the Liverpool experience in a nutshell. Euphoria or despair. Nothing in between.
Salah’s exit brings an end to a hugely successful spell on Merseyside. Since joining in 2017, he has scored 257 goals and established himself as the club’s third highest scorer of all time.
Slot pays tribute to a machine
Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, praised Salah’s impact.
“100 per cent last season, he said the most special thing I have won was last season’s Premier League title,” Slot told reporters.
“Now I can safely say that was the most special thing I have won in my life so I will remember that and how important he was in that season for the club and as a result also for me with all the goals he scored.”
Life after Salah
Liverpool now face the challenge of replacing one of the most influential players in the club’s modern history. Salah’s goals, leadership and experience have been central to their success over the last nine years.
His warning will echo in that dressing room for years to come.
Win, and you’re kings of the world. Lose, and Anfield can be the loneliest place on earth.
That’s the standard. That’s the pressure. That’s Liverpool.
And Salah wants the next generation to understand it.
