Timeline of Mohamed Salah's Liverpool exit after being 'thrown under the bus'

Mohamed Salah will depart Anfield after nine incredible years, following a challenging final season that saw an explosive mixed zone interview and public criticism of manager Arne Slot

Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

All good things must come to an end.

As we look back on Mohamed Salah's extraordinary Premier League journey, the Egyptian maestro and Liverpool have indeed been a very, very good thing.

In a matter of weeks, the 33-year-old will bid farewell after nine remarkable years in Merseyside. Salah will leave Anfield as the third-highest scorer in the club's history and as the player with the most goal contributions (281) in Premier League annals. While Salah has epitomised consistency throughout his Liverpool tenure, the 2025-26 season has posed challenges for the Reds' icon — hence, his departure should not be entirely surprising.

After all, there have been indications that Salah and Liverpool might part ways in recent times, most notably when the forward unleashed a fiery mixed zone interview last December. Here is the narrative of Salah's departure and how it unfolded...

Sep-Nov 24: Hints of departure

Let's remember, Salah only inked a new two-year contract about a year ago. However, before signing on the dotted line, there were numerous hints that he could be set for a move.

"No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like," Salah shared on social media as he approached the final months of his contract.

Salah fell out with Arne Slot earlier this season(Image: Getty Images)

A few months earlier, after defeating Manchester United, Salah emphasized that he was in his "last year" with the club. These enigmatic remarks came amid intense interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, heightening concerns over Salah's future...

April 25: New deal

Despite the hints and transfer rumours, a new contract did materialise. Last April, Salah and Liverpool agreed on new terms, with the former Roma and Chelsea player signing on the dotted line. He capped this off by clinching the Premier League title just weeks later after an exceptional individual season. All was right as rain.

Nov 25: High-profile omission

Following a rocky start to the season, Arne Slot decided to exclude Salah from his squad for a match against West Ham. The Dutch manager admitted it was "not a nice thing" to sideline his star player, a decision that raised quite a few eyebrows...

Dec 25: Mixed zone shocker

Salah reacted to his exclusion by dropping a real bombshell in the mixed zone just weeks later. He criticized Slot, asserting he had "no relationship" with the Liverpool manager and felt he had been "thrown under the bus."

It seemed like this was the point of no return for the striker. Salah even hinted at a January exit, revealing he had told his family to come to Anfield for his last game before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations. Did he even hint at his next destination?

He said: "Is there interest from Saudi Arabia? I don't want to answer that question because the club will take me in a different direction. I have done so much for this club. I love the fans so much and love the club, I don't know what is next."

Dec 25: Peace talks

Salah was left out of the Liverpool squad heading to Rome for a Champions League fixture following his outburst. However, Slot included him in the team after reconciliation discussions at the club's training ground. A promising sign in the short term. Yet his long-term future remained uncertain as he departed for AFCON...

Jan 26: Saudi transfer twist

Having been linked with Saudi Pro League sides in consecutive transfer windows, Salah's remarks essentially opened the door for renewed interest. However, it transpired that clubs had tempered their interest in the forward — at least for the time being. With no January move materializing and Salah back in the Liverpool side, it appeared the situation had stabilised.

Nevertheless, while the off-field speculation subsided, scrutiny of his on-pitch displays persisted. Salah has managed just one Premier League goal since November and has faced growing pressure to be dropped from the starting XI. Slot had avoided inflaming matters further, with player and manager presenting a united front with little indication of his impending announcement.

Mar 26: Exit statement

Then came Tuesday, when Salah announced that this would be his last season as a Liverpool player in a heartfelt video posted on social media. One of Liverpool's all-time legends will draw his illustrious Anfield career to a close in the forthcoming weeks.

We should all consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to witness it.