Liverpool and Dortmund legends deliver emotional verdict as Mo Salah exit confirmed

It’s the kind of news that makes you pause and reflect, because when a player of this magnitude leaves, you’re not just losing quality - you’re closing a chapter in Liverpool’s modern history.

Following the Liverpool Legends vs Borussia Dortmund Legends match at Anfield, I spoke to a number of former players in the mix zone, and every single one of them had something to say about Mo Salah.

Liverpool and Dortmund legends react to Mo Salah's exit

Ryan Babel:

“First of all, I think we should be very appreciative and grateful of what he has meant to the club and usually we only realise it once he's not there anymore. At the moment often we tend to forget really quick how important and what type of impact he has had in the change of Liverpool in the last decade. But again, the statistics speaks for themself, his work ethic speaks for itself, you can tell he gave everything. And again, we are human beings, there's a time of coming and there's a time of going and I guess he decided it was time to go and we should be very appreciative of that.”

Martin Skrtel:

“One of the best players in Liverpool history. Obviously he decided to leave and we have to accept it, we wish him all the best for the future, but obviously we’ll be missing him. But that’s football, players leaving and new ones coming, but definitely Mo leaves a legacy behind him and I'm just happy that he was wearing our shirt. As I said, I just wish him good luck for the future.”

Ragnar Klavan:

“Incredible. I had the opportunity to play together with him as well, for a short period, but his dedication, what he did for this club, really he is the greatest.”

Fabio Aurelio:

“I think the numbers speak for themself. Amazing numbers. I think it would be difficult to see someone that would break those numbers repeatedly, season by season. So I think it’s just compliments to Salah.”

Jay Spearing:

“He’s an absolute legend and honestly there’s no way to describe him. He’s broke record after record every single year, he’s been an incredible player for this football club and he’ll be remembered for a very, very long time. Between now and the end of the season we should celebrate him as much as we can.”

Igor Biscan:

“I’m sure he’s right there on the top of the best players, most influential and most important players in the history of the club. And when we know how many of those this club had in the past, it just tells you how much he did and what he did for the fans, for the club. So all the best to him in the future and of course thank you as well.”

Mohamed Zidan:

“As Egyptians we are proud of what Mo has achieved. He achieved something that no one in Egypt did and in the Arab countries. So I’m sure that the Liverpool fans value what he did, he had nine great seasons, he won everything, he did everything for the club and for the people. It might be time for him, he’s the one who knows best what is the best decision for him to do. And it’s good that people will always remember him with the good things. So it's better maybe to say goodbye and leave and then people will always remember him in a good way. He will always be a legend in Liverpool and he will always be a legend in the Premier League. I’m happy for him and what he has done so far and as an Egyptian I’m proud, of course.”

Paul Lambert:

“Well, where do you start? I think he’s one of the greatest players that played for this club, won so many, many titles. Listen, everything comes to an end, there’s a great thing called time, you can never beat it and that unfortunately his time is coming, like the rest of us. Five, six, seven years from now you become normality. But what he’s done at this football club I don’t think can ever be underestimated.”

Hearing it directly from players who’ve worn the shirt only reinforces the reality - Liverpool have been watching one of the greatest ever, and replacing that impact won’t be simple.