Bolatito Mercy
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson closed the curtain on nine-year Liverpool careers with an emotional farewell at Anfield on Sunday, as the Reds drew 1-1 with Brentford in their final Premier League game of the 2025-26 season. The match served as both a send-off for two of the club’s modern greats and the confirmation of Champions League qualification after a difficult campaign. From the first whistle, the atmosphere was charged with tributes, with mosaics on the Kop and chants ringing out for players who helped define Liverpool’s most successful era in recent memory.
Both players started the game and were central to the moments that mattered. Salah provided the assist for Curtis Jones’ 58th-minute opener, taking his assist tally to 120 for the club and nearly adding a goal when his free-kick struck the post in the first half. Robertson patrolled the left flank one last time with the energy that became his trademark, before both were substituted to standing ovations in the second half. Salah left the field in the 74th minute, Robertson in the 83rd, each pausing to take in the applause from all four sides of the stadium.
After the final whistle, Liverpool arranged a guard of honour on the pitch with players, staff, and club legends forming lines to greet the departing duo. Robertson emerged first to a rousing reception, followed by Salah, who was visibly moved as presenter Peter McDowall read out his achievements. The pair were presented with commemorative frames and posed for photographs with Sir Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, sporting director Richard Hughes, and CEO Billy Hogan. The club had earlier released a video tribute filmed at Anfield with Salah’s daughters, Makka and Kayan, walking onto the pitch to reveal photographs of his iconic moments.
Salah admitted he had cried more than in his entire life, saying the goodbye was harder than he expected for someone who doesn’t consider himself overly emotional. “We lived our youth here, sharing everything from the beginning to the end. We put this club back where it belongs,” he told Sky Sports alongside Robertson. The Egyptian finished with 257 goals in 441 appearances, two Premier League titles, a Champions League, and four Golden Boots, while Robertson collected nine trophies and 275 appearances, becoming one of the Premier League’s most consistent full-backs.
The emotional weight came not just from the numbers but from the connection they built with supporters over nearly a decade. Salah said the love from fans was the most important thing, noting that his daughters would continue to support Liverpool even after the family leaves Merseyside. Robertson echoed that sentiment, describing the supporters as the heartbeat of the club and saying it mattered to him that they could leave with Champions League football secured despite a disappointing season.
Their departures mark the end of a partnership that delivered two league titles, a Champions League, a FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup twice, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield. Together they featured in 818 matches across all competitions, forming key parts of Jürgen Klopp’s side before seeing out the transition under Arne Slot. Sky Sports pundit Adam Lallana said Salah’s impact exceeded expectations, while Robertson was praised for redefining the modern full-back role with his relentless pressing and delivery.
Both players leave with World Cup commitments ahead for Egypt and Scotland, and their next club moves remain to be confirmed. Robertson has been linked with Tottenham, while Salah’s future destination has not been announced. Regardless of where they go, the farewell at Anfield underlined how deeply they are embedded in the club’s recent history. As Robertson put it, “We started together and I’m glad we’re going to end this incredible journey together.”
For Liverpool fans, the 1-1 draw with Brentford will be remembered less for the result than for the moment two legends said goodbye. The club secured fifth place and a return to Europe’s top competition, but the focus was firmly on Salah and Robertson, who walked off to a chorus of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Their exits close a chapter that began in 2017 and leaves a standard of commitment and success that will be hard to match.
