The first part of John Aldridge's ECHO column reacts to Mohamed Salah's exit news and looks ahead to a huge couple of Liverpool games after the international break
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks on before during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the season(Image: Getty Images)
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It's difficult to say something new about Mohamed Salah that hasn't already been said. Where do you even begin to sum up the immense service he has given Liverpool these past nine years? And where does he rank in the club's list of all-time greats?
Everyone will have their own views on that and the biggest compliment you can pay Mo is that whoever you name, he doesn't look out of place next to any of them.
For me, Steven Gerrard and Sir Kenny Dalglish will always be No.1 and No. 2, but who comes after them? Well, it's quite the debate, isn't it? Kevin Keegan, John Barnes, Ian Rush, Ian Callaghan, Robbie Fowler...the list of greats goes on and on and Mo sits among them all. Deservedly.
The Golden Boots, the trophies, his Premier League titles, the Champions League, a Club World Cup and the domestic cups as well, it's frankly an outrageous list of honours. He's an iconic player and it will be a long time before we see another like him at Anfield, I am sure.
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It's going to be a hell of a send-off when that day comes in May but my worry is that the season peters out on the other side of the international break.
Mo won't want that as much as anyone and there is still loads to play for once the action resumes on Saturday. It's time to go out with a bang, not a whimper.
Liverpool have a massive couple of quarter-final ties to come and if the players aren't at it at either Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain then they are in real danger of being mowed down.
These are two of the most difficult places to go in European football, facing Pep Guardiola's City, fresh from winning the Carabao Cup, and Paris Saint-Germain who are the Ligue 1 holders and current champions of Europe.
Anything less than a proper performance from Liverpool risks them writing off their season and leaving themselves only the battle to qualify for the Champions League. Failure on that score could make this season one that is sadly remembered as being horrific.
They cannot afford to let news about Mo Salah affect them negatively. A good result in Paris will give them a great chance of getting PSG back to Anfield for a huge Champions League night under the lights, where anything can happen.
City, meanwhile, might have one eye on reeling in Arsenal in the Premier League title race having beaten them so decisively at Wembley just over a week ago.
So there is real opportunity for Arne Slot and his players here but they have to approach this massive week properly, defend for their lives and show some real courage. Don't leave the Etihad or the Parc des Princes with regrets.
You hope the Salah news has a positive impact, similar to how Jurgen Klopp's news did two years ago, when he announced in January that his time at the club was ending. It can act as the wind in the sails and there is no doubt it powered Liverpool through during that Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea in 2024.
When the top players look back on their careers, it's never about money. It's about medals and these lads at Anfield have the privilege of playing in front of the best club fans in football, so now is the time to show some fight.
It's been a really difficult campaign but there's still a lot to chase as we head into the business end. It's time to stand up and be counted after the break. There can be absolutely no moping.