Arne Slot has declared that Mohamed Salah "deserves a big send-off" as the Liverpool boss confirmed he expects the departing superstar to return from injury before the season ends. The Egyptian forward, who will leave Anfield at the conclusion of the campaign, was forced off during last weekend's 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, sparking fears he might have played his final match for the Reds.
Salah received a standing ovation and waved to the adoring crowd as he exited the pitch—a moment that felt heavy with emotion given the uncertainty surrounding his future. But Liverpool eased those concerns on Wednesday, announcing that the 33-year-old had suffered only a "minor muscle injury" and is expected to feature again before the campaign wraps up.
"We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday," Slot said during his pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of a crucial trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. "It's a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he's able to play for us and also represent Egypt at the World Cup. And if there's ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it's definitely Mo."
The numbers speak for themselves. Since arriving at Anfield in 2017, Salah has netted an astonishing 257 goals in 440 appearances, placing him third on Liverpool's all-time scoring list behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. His impact has been nothing short of legendary, and fans will be eager to see him grace the pitch one last time before he moves on.
It hasn't all been smooth sailing this season. In December, Salah publicly admitted he had "no relationship" with Slot after being dropped for three consecutive matches. However, the Dutch manager later downplayed the tension, insisting there was "no issue to resolve" as the forward worked his way back into the starting lineup.
Liverpool, whose Premier League title defense faltered dramatically starting in late September, now have four games remaining. Sunday's clash with Manchester United is the first of those, and while Salah won't be available, the team is riding high on three straight wins that have them firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot. For fans and neutrals alike, the hope is that Salah will be back to add a few more memorable moments before he bids Anfield farewell.