An emotional Mohamed Salah bid a tearful goodbye to the Anfield faithful after setting a new benchmark for Premier League assists at Liverpool during a 1-1 stalemate with Brentford. Despite rumors that Arne Slot might bench him following recent friction, the 33-year-old Egyptian icon started on his familiar right flank, a position he has dominated since his 2017 arrival from Roma.
Salah was determined to add to his tally of 257 goals for the club, but luck was not on his side as his finest effort—a curling free-kick—rattled the woodwork. However, he still made history by recording his 93rd assist for the Reds, delivering an exquisite outside-of-the-boot cross that Curtis Jones converted to break the deadlock just before the hour mark.
While Kevin Schade eventually leveled the score with a close-range header for Brentford, the result was enough for the hosts. The single point confirmed Liverpool’s return to the Champions League with a fifth-place finish.
Here is how the players performed at Anfield as Salah and Andy Robertson concluded their legendary careers in the red shirt.
Goalkeeper and defense
Alisson Becker (6/10): In what might be his final appearance at Anfield, the Brazilian goalkeeper made a crucial stop against Schade late in the first half. He could do little to prevent the equalizer after the break.
Curtis Jones (7/10): Once again filling in as an emergency right-back, Jones looked comfortable. He was heavily involved in the team’s early attacking play and timed his run perfectly to meet Salah’s cross for the opening goal. A deflection off him led to Brentford’s goal, but his overall performance was a reminder of his value amid summer transfer speculation.
Ibrahima Konaté (5/10): While he was dominant in the air and composed on the ball, a clumsy challenge earned him a yellow card—a lapse in judgment that has become too frequent as his contract nears its end.
Virgil van Dijk (6/10): The captain put in a typically commanding display at the heart of the defense, though he will be frustrated by the team’s inability to secure a clean sheet.
Andy Robertson (6/10): Starting his final game for the club, the Scotsman was reliable if not spectacular. He was caught slightly out of position for Schade’s goal but received a well-earned standing ovation when he was substituted.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch (7/10): One of the most energetic presences 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 Argentine worked hard but struggled to find his rhythm. His frustration boiled over late in the game with a heavy tackle on Igor Thiago that resulted in a booking.
Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10): His movement was constant, creating a golden opportunity for Gakpo and later setting up Wirtz. He remains the most consistent performer in the squad this season.
Attack
Mohamed Salah (8/10): Playing with the hunger of a man wanting one last goal, he was denied by the post on a brilliant free-kick. His assist for Jones was a moment of pure class, allowing him to officially surpass Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s all-time leading assist provider in the Premier League.
Cody Gakpo (6/10): He served as a useful link-up player and played a key role in the buildup to the opening goal. He might feel he should have scored himself when a close-range header was blocked.
Rio Ngumoha (7/10): The fearless youngster was a constant threat, nearly finding the top corner with a spectacular curling shot that just missed the target.
Substitutes and manager
Florian Wirtz (6/10): Replacing Ngumoha for the final 20 minutes, the German international eventually found his stride and was only denied a late winner by a spectacular save.
Jeremie Frimpong (5/10): He took over from Salah on the right wing but failed to make a significant impact on the proceedings.
Trey Nyoni (N/A): Introduced for Gravenberch to see out the final ten minutes.
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’s decision to start Salah paid off with a record-breaking assist, and his faith in Ngumoha was justified. However, Slot faces a massive task this summer to fix a defensive unit that continues to look vulnerable.
