Liverpool fans were devastated when Roberto Firmino decided to leave the club at the end of the 2022-23 season, but his exit reminded Mohamed Salah that nothing lasts forever.
Firmino arrived at Liverpool from Hoffenheim in 2015 after being signed by Brendan Rodgers but quickly found himself playing under a new coach when Jurgen Klopp was hired later that year. Due to the transfer window being closed, Klopp had to work with the squad handed over to him, but an inspired move impacted the remainder of his tenure at Anfield.
Rodgers had played Firmino on the left wing, but Klopp moved him into a central role before assembling one of the greatest attacking lines in recent history. Liverpool signed Sadio Mane from Southampton in 2016 before acquiring Mohamed Salah from AS Roma in 2017, and the trio combined for 338 goals across all competitions in the five seasons that followed.
Salah is now the last man standing after Mane was sold to Bayern Munich in June 2022 and Firmino left at the end of his contract the following summer. While it ended a glamorous era at Liverpool, it’s made Salah even more appreciative of the moments he shared with his teammates.
In a video published on Liverpool’s official YouTube channel, Salah reflected on his Reds career with teammates Andrew Robertson and Alisson. “The thing I appreciate the most is the time when I go every morning and I see the guys and share unbelievable moments, especially us three plus Virgil [van Dijk] and Trent [Alexander-Arnold], the senior group,” Salah said.
“When Bobby [Firmino] left, for example, you realize everybody will leave one day so I don’t take that for granted. When I go [to the training ground], I always try to have a laugh with them and spend good time together. In my head, I always remember the good things we had together.”
The iconic attacking trio all had contrasting strengths, but as a collective, they were dominant and set a new Champions League record for goals scored in a single season. They also won every trophy on offer at Liverpool. Salah was the leading goalscorer during that time with 156, but the Egyptian had Firmino to thank for 13.5 percent of those.
Firmino assisted Salah 21 times at Liverpool and also scored 11 times himself when linking up with the Egyptian. Salah was sad to see Firmino leave and uploaded a post to Instagram once it was confirmed.
“One of the best things about football is that we get to meet and share moments with great people,” Salah wrote.” Bobby, Milly (James Milner), Ox (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), and Naby (Keita) will be missed and I hope our paths will cross again.”
Salah has stayed at Liverpool throughout its recent transition and is facing his own career decision as his contract expires at the end of the season. Salah has shown this season that he’s still world-class, but the club is yet to agree on an extension with the winger. It’s thought that Salah is happy in Liverpool and settled with his family, but for now, he’s keen to try and win everything in what could be his last dance.
“[My ambitions for this season are to] win it all, in my opinion. I work so hard every day and I hate the idea that we’re ‘underdogs’. No, we have an incredible group,” Salah said. “In each position, you’re going to find players that are, really, top three in the world, so why don’t we win it [all]? This city and this club has to always fight for everything.”
Liverpool is currently top of the Premier League and ahead of rivals Manchester City by five points, after losing just one game all season. The Reds are flawless in cup competitions, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup and winning all four Champions League games, the only team across Europe to do so.
