Mohamed Salah came agonisingly close to concluding his Liverpool career in stunning fashion, but managed to provide an assist in the 1-1 draw against Brentford which secured Champions League qualification. Following last week’s social media statement criticising the team’s playing style, the Egyptian forward vowed to do everything possible to ensure a return to Europe’s premier club competition. He fulfilled that promise with a characteristic outside-of-the-left-boot delivery for Curtis Jones to force home, though Bournemouth’s draw at Nottingham Forest ultimately rendered the result irrelevant. Kevin
Schade’s diving header left Brentford requiring just one more goal to qualify for European competition for the first time in their history, but they were unable to penetrate the Liverpool defence again. For the home supporters, however, there was only one player who commanded the spotlight. Salah’s first-half free kick curled around the wall, leaving former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher motionless as it struck the post, representing his closest opportunity to add to his tally of 193 Premier League goals. The next best outcome was
providing the delivery for the opening goal, demonstrating his impeccable timing as he latched onto Ryan Gravenberch’s lofted through ball, before driving low across the six-yard box. The celebrations barely had a chance to ignite as there were immediate suspicions of offside, and when VAR confirmed the goal’s validity, the loudest cheer came not for the strike itself but for the withdrawal of former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, with his ex-teammates joining in a warm round of applause. Yet that paled in comparison to the
reception that followed when head coach Arne Slot — with whom the Egyptian has had his high-profile disagreements — made the unexpected call to bring him off in the 74th minute. Liverpool’s squad formed a spontaneous guard of honour, and after accepting their tributes, he dropped to his knees to kiss the Anfield turf one final time, sharing a brief embrace with Slot before taking his place on the bench. It was from a similar position that he had fired his opening salvo back in
December at Elland Road, claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club amid a dip in form, and suggesting his relationship with Slot had broken down. Those tensions were smoothed over, following a one-match internal suspension, just long enough to see out the season and allow one of the club’s greatest ever players to bow out in fitting fashion. Also bidding farewell was Andy Robertson, who received his own standing ovation in the 83rd minute, drawing the curtain on an equally trophy-laden
nine-year chapter at the club. With uncertainty surrounding the futures of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who produced one outstanding first-half stop from Schade upon his return following a two-month absence, Joe Gomez, who received a brief late appearance, and Curtis Jones, this match felt like the conclusion of an era, with only Virgil van Dijk from Jurgen Klopp’s legendary squad still holding down a regular starting position. His completion of the full 90 minutes saw him become the oldest outfield player, at 34 years and 320
days, to feature in every minute of a Premier League campaign. Liverpool were sporting next season’s new strip, yet there remains a possibility that as many as five players from the starting eleven may not be wearing it when the new season begins. Slot will be afforded an opportunity to address their difficulties, but he requires Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, who was prevented from scoring a late winner by Kelleher in stoppage time, to deliver next season, provided both can remain injury-free. The fixture
concluded with supporters singing a tribute to Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva on the eve of pre-season training – one final, poignant reminder to put a sad title defence into perspective. Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond
Mohamed Salah, Anfield farewell, Liverpool vs Brentford, Champions League qualification, Curtis Jones, Arne Slot, Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson, Caoimhin Kelleher, Diogo Jota tribute