Mohamed Salah bids farewell with record assist as Liverpool secure Champions League spot

With tears in his eyes, Mohamed Salah delivered a poignant goodbye to the Anfield faithful after setting a new all-time Premier League assist record for Liverpool during a 1-1 draw against Brentford. Despite rumors that Arne Slot might bench him following recent friction after the Aston Villa defeat, the 33-year-old Egyptian icon started on the right wing, a position he has made his own since arriving from Roma in 2017.

Determined to add to his staggering tally of 257 goals for the club, Salah pushed for a final strike in his farewell appearance. His closest effort came from a perfectly placed free-kick at the edge of the box, which unfortunately rattled the woodwork. However, he did manage to record his 93rd assist for the Reds, providing a sublime outside-of-the-foot cross that Curtis Jones converted to break the deadlock just before the hour mark.

Brentford managed to claw back a point through a Kevin Schade header, but the result remained favorable for the hosts. The draw was enough to secure a top-five finish, officially punching Liverpool’s ticket to the Champions League next season.

Here is how the individual performers fared at Anfield as both Salah and Andy Robertson brought their legendary Merseyside careers to a close.

Goalkeeper and defense

Alisson Becker (6/10): In what might be his final bow at Anfield, the Brazilian shot-stopper produced a vital save against Schade late in the first half. He was left with little chance to stop Brentford’s close-range equalizer.

Curtis Jones (7/10): Once again filling in at right-back, Jones looked comfortable in the role. He was heavily involved in the team’s early attacking play and timed his run perfectly to finish Salah’s exquisite cross. While the equalizer deflected off him before Schade headed it in, his performance was a reminder of his utility as he faces an uncertain summer.

Ibrahima Konaté (5/10): Dominant in aerial duels and reliable in his distribution, the Frenchman nonetheless picked up a needless yellow card for a clumsy challenge—a recurring issue as his current contract nears its end.

Virgil van Dijk (6/10): The captain put in a characteristically commanding display, though he will be frustrated by the team’s inability to maintain a clean sheet.

Andy Robertson (6/10): Selected over Kerkez for his final outing, the Scotsman was dependable if not flashy. He was caught slightly out of position for the Brentford goal but received a well-earned standing ovation when he was substituted, marking the end of a golden era alongside Salah.

Midfield

Ryan Gravenberch (7/10): One of the most energetic players on the pitch, he drove forward well in the first half and tested the keeper with a powerful long-range effort.

Alexis Mac Allister (5/10): The midfielder worked tirelessly, but his lack of clinical edge in key moments remains a concern. His frustration boiled over late in the game, resulting in a booking for a heavy tackle on Igor Thiago.

Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10): Constantly on the move, the Hungarian international delivered a pinpoint cross for Gakpo and created a clear chance for Wirtz. He remains a top contender for the club’s player of the season.

Attack

Mohamed Salah (8/10): He played with the urgency of a man desperate for one last goal, nearly finding it with a brilliant free-kick that beat the keeper but hit the post. His masterful assist for Jones saw him move past Steven Gerrard to become Liverpool’s leading assist provider in Premier League history.

Cody Gakpo (6/10): A creative presence in the final third, it was his pass that released Salah for the opening goal. He will feel he should have scored himself, however, after a goal-bound header was blocked by the Brentford defense.

Rio Ngumoha (7/10): The fearless youngster was always looking to make things happen, coming agonizingly close to scoring with a curling shot that whistled just past the post.

Substitutes and manager

Florian Wirtz (6/10): Replacing Ngumoha for the final 20 minutes, the German international initially struggled to find his rhythm but was denied a late winner by a spectacular save from Kelleher.

Jeremie Frimpong (5/10): Taking over for Salah on the right flank, he failed to make a significant impact on the game’s closing stages.

Trey Nyoni (N/A): Introduced for Gravenberch in the final ten minutes to help see out the draw.

Milos Kerkez (N/A): Came on for Robertson in the 83rd minute.

Joe Gomez (N/A): A late tactical substitution for Konaté.

Arne Slot (5/10): The manager made the right call by starting Salah despite recent tensions, and the decision paid off with a record-breaking assist. While Ngumoha’s inclusion was a success, Slot still faces a massive challenge in fixing a defensive unit that looked vulnerable throughout.