A Liverpool without Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson is hard to comprehend, however well signposted their exits have been, and as the two Anfield greats walked up to the Kop together for one last time it was also difficult to see where Arne Slot’s side are heading next season in their absence. The most positive aspect of a uniquely challenging season for Liverpool is that it is over.
Champions League qualification was at least secured courtesy of a draw against Brentford, who would have qualified for Europe themselves but for Dango Ouattara missing a glorious chance to seal victory with the final act. Salah signed off with a trademark flourish, producing the 120th assist of his Liverpool career for Curtis Jones’s opener. The Egypt international’s 93rd Premier League assist for Liverpool also ensured he overtook Steven Gerrard’s club record in his final appearance. How appropriate that Salah should depart with one more record.
Liverpool players formed guards of honour for Salah and Robertson when they were substituted and afterwards when both were presented with personalised “Champions’ Walls” by Sir Kenny Dalglish. Salah was in tears as the enormity of the moment hit home after the final whistle but there were smiles later when he took selfies with supporters. Robertson stood a little further back and absorbed the adulation along with the goodbye.
They leave behind a club that have the Champions League revenue required for their summer transfer plans but also a lot of uncertainty, from Slot’s ability to coach a recovery to the capacity of new signings to fill the void.
“When you look at the league table you see big clubs who were not able to qualify for the Champions League or Europe so we can not take it for granted,” said the Liverpool head coach. “It is clear and obvious that we wanted more but I am proud of the players because it has been a very, very difficult season. It is not what I would have loved us to achieve but taking everything into account what has happened, I am happy today that we have qualified for the Champions League.”
There were mosaics on the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand for the departing duo and their names were sung on repeat for the opening 15 minutes. Liverpool’s performance was clearly geared at times to getting Salah on the scoresheet too.
For Slot, there was no question of punishing Salah for his latest public criticism with a demotion when Champions League football was at stake. The forward made his 442nd appearance for Liverpool as expected and so nearly provided the perfect send-off. A left-footed free-kick from the edge of the penalty area left Caoimhín Kelleher rooted to the spot only to smack a post and rebound to safety. The former Liverpool goalkeeper and the club’s former captain Jordan Henderson were given rousing receptions on their return.
Henderson exited without fanfare when leaving for Saudi Arabia in 2023. That was put right when the Brentford midfielder was substituted on the hour. All four sides of Anfield stood to applaud a huge influence on Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp. Henderson was visibly moved and returned the compliment, tapping his chest above the heart as he went.
Quick Guide
Premier League teams in Europe next season
Show
Champions League Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool
Europa League Bournemouth, Sunderland (Crystal Palace will also play in the Europa League if they win the Conference League final on Wednesday)
Conference League Brighton
Liverpool had taken a merited lead just before Henderson’s departure. Until that point the hosts had dominated possession and the early chances as Brentford struggled to break their press. Ibrahima Konaté headed straight at Kelleher from a Robertson cross, Dominik Szoboszlai dragged a decent opportunity wide, the Brentford keeper saved impressively from Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha was close to finding the top corner after cutting in from the left. And, in keeping with Liverpool’s season, they almost conceded when put under pressure for the first time.
Kevin Schade found himself with the freedom of the Liverpool six-yard box after Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins headed a Henderson delivery back across goal. The forward had time to control and pick his spot but Alisson, back in the side after two months out injured, launched himself across goal and made a vital save with a knee.
The breakthrough was made by Salah. Released down the right by a smart Gakpo pass, the 33-year-old advanced into the area and picked out Jones with a delightful cross played with the outside of his foot. Jones steered a straightforward finish past Kelleher and Liverpool had the foundation for victory. They did not build on it.
Brentford responded well and finally performed with an intensity their situation demanded. Keith Andrews’ team were soon level when Jones headed a deep cross into the path of Keane Lewis-Potter. The left back’s cross took a slight deflection off the Liverpool goalscorer en route to Schade, who beat Alisson with a diving header. Kelleher denied substitute Florian Wirtz in stoppage time and Brentford made one last push for Europe. Ouattara, rising alone to meet Vitaly Janelt’s cross, should have sent them there but miscued badly.