Many Reds fans are asking for the departing legend to be awarded the city's highest civic honour
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Liverpool's council leader has responded to calls for departing Reds legend Mohamed Salah to be awarded Freedom of the City. Anfield hero Salah announced on Tuesday evening that he will leave the club at the end of this season, bringing to an end one of the greatest careers in Liverpool Football Club history.
The Egyptian forward, who has enjoyed a glittering career at Anfield, took to social media to state: "Unfortunately the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season."
There has been a huge outpouring of love and tributes for Salah, who cemented himself as an LFC legend with years of imperious performances and individual honours while helping the Reds towards two Premier League titles, a Champions League and numerous other trophies.
Some have now called for Salah to be awarded the civic honour of the Freedom of Liverpool for his efforts in a red shirt and for the way he has connected with his adopted city.
Freedom of the City of Liverpool is the highest civic honour bestowed by Liverpool City Council, recognising individuals or organisations for exceptional service or distinction. The award is usually given to influential figures who have contributed to the city's culture and community.
In 2022, Salah's former boss, ex-Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, was awarded the freedom of the city. The German was only the third foreign national to receive the honour, after Nelson Mandela and Giants creator Jean-Luc Courcoult.
Leader of Liverpool City Council Liam Robinson
Leader of Liverpool City Council Liam Robinson(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
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So could Mo Salah be the fourth? Well, we asked city council leader Liam Robinson that question.
Responding, Cllr Robinson said: "Well, I think we would have to look at what the options around that could be."
He added: "I suppose for some of those civic honours, those tend to be bestowed once people have retired, so it might be a little bit early for that speculation, but lots of different successful sports people have been suggested.
"But he has been a phenomenal player for Liverpool Football Club, one of their greatest goalscorers of all time, and genuinely is that kind of symbol of strength.
"I think not just LFC fans but the whole city takes to people that are exceptional from wherever they happen to be from around the globe, where they have made a real difference to the life of this city.
"So I know there will be many, many LFC fans who rightfully will be really sorry to see him retire, but he'll always be revered as a legend of Liverpool Football Club and, actually, let's be dead clear about it, a legend of the Premier League. Yeah, he's been really, really phenomenal as a player."
On the prospect of a future Freedom of the City award for Salah, Cllr Robinson added: "As always, it is down to the people of the city to put forward who they would want to see given the right civic honours."