The sight of Mohamed Salah limping toward the Anfield tunnel usually sparks a collective holding of breath. On Saturday, during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, that breath wasn't just held—it felt like the air was sucked out of the stadium entirely. This wasn't just another tactical sub or a minor knock. With only four games left in the season and Salah already confirmed to be leaving this summer, we're staring at the very real possibility that the "Egyptian King" has already made his final appearance in a Red shirt.
Arne Slot didn't exactly pour oil on troubled waters after the match. When asked if Salah’s time at Liverpool ended on that 59th-minute substitution, Slot’s "wait and see" response was the kind of non-answer that actually says everything. It's a massive blow for a team trying to secure Champions League football, but for the fans, it’s a cruel, quiet way for a legend to go out.
The injury that could end an era
Let’s look at the facts. Salah went down clutching the back of his left leg. For a player who treats his body like a temple and rarely misses time, seeing him grimace and signal to the bench immediately is a bad sign. Hamstring issues—if that’s what this is—don't usually resolve themselves in ten days. Liverpool’s season wraps up on May 24 against Brentford. That's less than a month away.
Slot pointed out that Salah’s recovery record is elite. The man is a freak of nature when it comes to fitness. But even the best medical staff can't fight biology. If it’s a Grade 2 tear, he’s done. We might have just watched the most prolific forward of the modern Liverpool era walk off the pitch for the last time without a proper goodbye.
A messy final season at Anfield
It's been a weird year for Salah. Honestly, it hasn't been the fairytale ending everyone wanted. His public spat with Slot back in December was a low point. Seeing him dropped for three games straight felt like the beginning of the end. He eventually worked his way back, but the numbers don't lie. Ten goals in 34 appearances isn't the Salah we know.
Maybe the pressure of the Saudi Pro League rumors finally got to him. Or maybe, at 33, the sheer volume of games has finally caught up. Whatever the reason, the 2025-26 campaign has been a struggle for both the player and the club. Liverpool is currently sitting fifth, fighting for a top-four spot that used to be a guarantee. The irony is that just as Salah started looking like his old self again post-AFCON, his body gave out.
What happens if he's actually done
If Salah can’t make it back for that Brentford finale, the transition to the post-Salah era starts right now. No more "what ifs." Slot has already been leaning on new blood. We've seen more of Rio Ngumoha, and the £125 million signing Alexander Isak is finally back from his own injury nightmare.
- The Saudi Factor: Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are already circling. If Salah is injured, it won't stop the massive offers coming in from the Middle East. They want the brand as much as the player.
- The Replacement Search: Names like Florian Wirtz are being thrown around, but nobody replaces 255 goals.
- The Legacy: Regardless of how this season ends, Salah is third on Liverpool’s all-time scorers list. One bad hamstring doesn't change that.
Don't expect a miracle return
Slot is playing it safe with his comments because he has to. He doesn't want to kill the mood while the team is still chasing points. But if you’re a betting person, don't put your money on Salah starting against Brentford. Liverpool fans should probably start making peace with the fact that the Palace game was the unofficial curtain call.
It’s an abrupt, unsatisfying end to a nine-year journey. We wanted the trophy lift, the lap of honor, and one last goal in front of the Kop. Instead, we got a limp and a "wait and see" from the manager. Football is rarely poetic when it matters most.
If you’re heading to the remaining games, keep your eyes on how Slot reshuffles the front three. With Isak back and Jeremie Frimpong taking up more advanced roles, the blueprint for 2027 is already being drawn. Salah might be watching from the stands, but the rebuild wait for no one.
