Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah insists he will always love the club as he bids farewell after nine years.
Liverpool set for summer of change with Salah and Robertson exits
This season has been the most frustrating and unhappiest of his tenure at Anfield, in which he won the Champions League and two Premier League titles as well as four Golden Boots, and that has been reflected in some of his public comments.
In December he was dropped from the squad after claiming he had been “thrown under the bus” after being benched after a run of poor results for the team and he also said his relationship with head coach Arne Slot had broken down.
That was patched up enough for him to return to the team after the Africa Cup of Nations but the mutual decision to part ways with a year of his contract still remaining suggested it was only a temporary truce.
His social media post after last week’s defeat at Aston Villa, calling for a return to the “heavy metal football” of the Jurgen Klopp era may have resonated with fans but it did little to convince observers he and Slot see eye to eye.
But ahead of his departure Salah spoke about his feelings for Liverpool and its supporters.
“The club means everything. The people mean everything, the city means everything. I will always love this club. I will always support it,” he told Salah: Farewell to the King, an LFC Orginal film made available on YouTube.
“It means to me everything. You live in the club, you feel the love and appreciation from the fans.
“This is the most important thing, people appreciate what you have done and appreciate everything you’ve done for them and for yourself.
“It feels special. I’m blessed. Not too many people had the opportunity to play here nine years and perform how I performed or just enjoy or go through the process that I’ve been through.
“So, it’s a blessing and something I don’t take for granted.”
He wants to join: Liverpool in talks to sign Anfield’s best winger since Diaz
Liverpool are interested in signing a couple of wingers during the summer transfer window.
And as one generation prepares to move on – with Andy Robertson also set to leave and doubts surrounding the future of Alisson Becker, Liverpool are already closing in on their next round of young talent.
Liverpool win race for Bayern Munich target
Indeed, Yan Diomande is reportedly a major target to potentially replace Salah this summer, but the Reds have already agreed a deal for a younger attacking option – Colombian midfielder Samuel Martinez.
The Athletic have compared the 17 year-old to a young Kaka, and also confirmed Bayern Munich have been working to sign him, but Romano revealed on his Youtube channel that Liverpool have officially won the race, giving his patented ‘here we go’.
“He will join when he turns 18 in 2027. Samuel Martinez has agreed terms with Liverpool.
“Borussia Dortmund were ready to make a deal happen with a big attack, there was also another European giant club not from England (Bayern) trying to enter the race for Martinez, considered a very interesting target.
“But Liverpool have an agreement with the boy, Liverpool have an agreement with Atletico Nacional, there will be also a small percentage of future sale that Liverpool have agreed in order accelerate talks and close the deal as soon as possible.
“And so Samuel Martinez to Liverpool, is a ‘here we go’.”
It is clear FSG are planning to upgrade Liverpool’s wide options this summer, with Romano also reporting PSG star Bradley Barcola is a target, while the reporter suggests right-back is another position the Reds could strengthen.
Both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have struggled with injuries in their respective Liverpool careers to date, while the versatile Joe Gomez is another who could move on this summer.