Liverpool await Mohamed Salah return as Slot urges grand farewell for departing icon

Arne Slot has insisted Mohamed Salah should be given a “big send-off” as Liverpool prepare for the final stretch of a season that will close a defining chapter in the club’s modern history.

The Liverpool manager also confirmed that the Egypt forward is expected to return from injury before the campaign ends, easing fears that he may have already played his final game at Anfield.

Salah was forced off during Liverpool’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace last weekend, a moment that briefly cast doubt over his availability for the remainder of the season.

As he left the pitch, the 33-year-old acknowledged the home support with an emotional wave and a standing ovation from supporters who appeared aware of the significance of the moment amid his confirmed summer departure.

Initial concern among supporters quickly gave way to cautious optimism after Liverpool issued an update on Wednesday, confirming the forward had sustained a “minor muscle injury”. The club indicated that while he would miss upcoming fixtures, he was expected to return before the end of the campaign.

That timeline was reinforced by Slot on Friday as Liverpool prepare for a crucial trip to Manchester United. The Reds arrive at Old Trafford buoyed by three consecutive wins, results that have strengthened their push for Champions League qualification after a turbulent title defence that unravelled from late September.

“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“It’s a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he’s able to play for us, that he’s able to play at the World Cup.

“And if there’s ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”

Salah’s importance to Liverpool’s modern era is beyond dispute. Since arriving from Roma in 2017, he has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. His consistency, durability and output have made him one of the defining figures of the Premier League era.

His relationship with Slot has not always been smooth. In December, Salah publicly stated he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being left out for three consecutive matches, sparking speculation over tension between player and manager. However, Slot later moved to defuse the situation, insisting there was “no issue to resolve” as the forward was reintegrated into the squad.

Despite that brief friction, Salah has remained central to Liverpool’s attacking structure whenever available, continuing to influence games at key moments. His imminent departure at the end of the season will mark the end of an era for a player whose consistency and output have defined nearly a decade of success at Anfield.

With four matches remaining, beginning at Old Trafford, Liverpool’s immediate focus remains securing Champions League qualification.

Yet beneath the competitive urgency lies a growing awareness that each of Salah’s remaining appearances carries added significance, with both club and manager openly acknowledging the need to honour a player who has shaped their modern identity.