Thiago Alcantara outlines what Mohamed Salah 'deserves' ahead of Liverpool farewell

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Thiago Alcantara has praised departing Liverpool legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, while also sharing what he believes the Egyptian star 'deserves' following his troubled final season at Anfield

Thiago Alcantara has had his say on Mohamed Salah(Image: Sky Sports News)

Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has heaped praise on outgoing Reds duo Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. Thiago departed Anfield when his contract expired at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.

The ex-Spain international announced his retirement from professional football in July 2025, before joining Hansi Flick's coaching staff at Barcelona as an assistant in September of that year. The 35-year-old endured an injury-plagued stint on Merseyside, managing just a solitary five-minute substitute appearance throughout his final campaign at Liverpool.

Thiago claimed both the FA Cup and League Cup alongside Salah and Robertson under Jurgen Klopp. Now, both players are set to depart Liverpool at the end of the current summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of Monday's Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich stalwart was fulsome in his admiration for the pair, saying: "They are legends of the club, they're amazing football players.

"It doesn't matter where they go. They will still be amazing football players."

When pressed on his thoughts regarding the turbulent conclusion to Salah's time at Anfield, Thiago added: "I haven't been there, so I couldn't have an opinion about it, but Mo deserves the best."

Thiago has spoken candidly in the past about the challenging choice to retire from football following his departure from the Reds.

"After such a long struggle to become a footballer – then to become the footballer I wanted to be – the hardest step was accepting that it was coming to an end," he admitted.

"It wasn't difficult because of what would come next. But because I had to let go of something I was in love with, due to circumstances beyond my control."

Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah have been team-mates for nine years(Image: Getty Images)

"It was difficult. But I had to find that peace with myself, that acceptance and pride for the career I had."

The Spaniard recently made a welcome return to Anfield, featuring in the Liverpool Legends match alongside the likes of John Aldridge, Steven Gerrard and Jurgen Klopp.

He said: "It's amazing. Two things got together – that is a full Anfield and playing with this legend [Gerrard]. It was an unbelievable moment and I will keep it with me for sure."

"When I scored, Stevie came and I told him it was the first sprinting I did since I arrived in Liverpool! Why not?! In that moment we just react, we are comfortable in the box. It's nice to score."