Mohamed Salah issues public statement as Liverpool transfer decision confirmed

Andy Robertson has confirmed his Liverpool exit at the end of the season after nine years, with Mohamed Salah posting an emotional Instagram message to his departing teammate

Mohamed Salah has paid tribute to Andy Robertson(Image: Getty Images)

Andy Robertson issued an emotional response to Mohamed Salah, as the Scottish defender confirmed he will follow in the Egyptian's footsteps and completed a free transfer from Liverpool this summer.

Salah made public during the March international break that 2025/26 would mark his final campaign at the club, and now Robertson has confirmed he'll be joining him in leaving.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Liverpool announced Robertson's departure after nine years with the club. The statement read: "Liverpool FC can confirm Andy Robertson will bring his Reds career to an end at the conclusion of the current season. After nine hugely successful campaigns at Anfield, the Scotland captain will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

"He will do so as a genuine Liverpool legend, having played a fundamental role in the successes of recent years over the course of his 373 appearances to date.

"Signed from Hull City in 2017, Robertson has won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.

"However, celebration of Robertson's Liverpool legacy is firmly on hold until the conclusion of the campaign, with the No.26 fully focused on helping the Reds end 2025-26 as successfully as possible."

Robertson and Salah will both leave Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)

The 32-year-old, meanwhile, addressed the situation himself, stating: "I think I feel better now that it's out in the open. The hardest bit [in] the last, certainly, couple of weeks and months is some people that are close to me in the training ground don't know and more importantly, the fans.

"The closer it gets, the more and more questions you start to get. I've always said that the fans are the most important people at this club and I just think now is the time to tell them what's going on and that obviously this will be my last year.

"I just think it's better being out in the open, that now I can fully focus on the team from now until the end of the season. I think it's important that I do that, I've always done that. But the time to have the emotional farewell and tell the fans and the people connected to this club what they mean to me, that will come closer to the end.

"I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet. It's just to try to get it out there so I can now be open and honest with everyone."

In the wake of the announcement, Salah was swift to pay tribute to his long-serving colleague on Instagram, sharing a collection of photographs capturing the duo together both on the pitch and at the training ground. He posted: "With these pictures showing the bond we shared, I almost felt I could get away with saying nothing about you leaving.

"It's been an honor to be your teammate and your friend. You've won it all, and you leave as a legend. I'm sure we will meet again."

Robertson responded in kind: "Been a hell of a journey, my friend," accompanied by a red love heart emoji.

The departure of two of the club's most seasoned and influential figures will present Arne Slot with a considerable challenge this summer, as he prepares for life without Robertson and Salah.