How Mohamed Salah's Departure Will Impact Liverpool next Season

Liverpool FC has officially confirmed that Mohamed Salah will leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season, bringing an end to one of the most successful individual careers in the club’s modern history. 

The Egyptian King joined in 2017 and has scored over 250 goals and provided more than 120 assists in 435 appearances, helping deliver two Premier League titles, a Champions League glory, and many other domestic trophies. 

Despite signing a two-year extension last year that ran until 2027, both parties have mutually agreed to end their relationship this summer, with Salah departing on a free transfer, a decision some fans would find baffling.

As Liverpool looks to move on and build a new life without the Egyptian star, the impact of his departure would be felt on and off the pitch at Anfield.

This includes tactically, performance-wise, and squad dynamics, as well as commercial revenue, ticket sales, global brand, and fan engagement.

Liverpool splashed the cash on several stars in the summer of 2025 and might have to spend big again now that Salah is expected to leave the club.

Salah’s legacy at Anfield

When Liverpool signed Salah, he was coming as an ordinary winger who had failed at Chelsea and had a brilliant campaign at AS Roma, so we did not expect so much from him, but he leaves Anfield as a legend of the game.

His pace, clinical finishing, and work rate made him the focal point of Jürgen Klopp’s and now Arne Slot’s attacks. 

In the current 2025/26 campaign, he has suffered a dip in form, with output of around 5 league goals and 6 assists in limited appearances amid reported tensions between him and his manager. His presence has still been pivotal in big moments. His departure marks the end of an era, with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane having already left before now.

On the pitch: Tactical and performance impact

Goal threat and creativity vacuum

Since he moved to Liverpool in 2017, Salah has been the Reds’ best goalscorer and creator over the last decade. Losing the former Chelsea man means Liverpool is losing at least 20+ goals per season from their game, and they will miss out on at least 10+ assists per term as well.

• Attacking output: Liverpool will need to redistribute chances when he leaves. Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and any potential new signing must step up, but none of them would be able to replicate Salah’s combination of volume shooting and efficiency from the right wing, so Liverpool probably should not think about replacing him.
• Tactical adjustments: Slot’s system relies so much on width and inverted movements. Without Salah, they could now be forced to put more overloads on the central areas to cover up for the loss of his influence on the wing.
• Squad rebuild needs: Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a high-profile replacement, with salary savings from Salah’s £400,000/week deal redirected toward this. However, new signings need time, as we have seen with Alexander Isak, and transitional seasons could often lead to dips in goals and points, which has already happened to them this season.

Squad dynamics and motivation

Salah’s professionalism and leadership in the dressing room will be missed as he is one of the most professional players in the world. His departure could motivate younger players to seize opportunities, but it also risks short-term disruption if key teammates feel the loss of a talisman and take time to adjust to not having him on the pitch.

Off the pitch: Commercial and fan impact

Ticket Sales and Matchday Revenue

One way that fans boost ticket sales and attendance, especially against opponents who are not top teams, is by fielding their superstars, so Salah’s departure will likely have a direct impact on Liverpool ticket sales.

• Risk of demands dropping: Salah’s name on the teamsheet has driven consistent sell-outs at Anfield for every home game. Without him, midweek or lower-profile Premier League and cup games could see 5-15% lower attendance or slower sales, especially if the team begins to struggle in his absence.
• Resale market reaction: Liverpool would always have high-profile matches since they are a top team, and the demand for these games on the resale market will hold strong, but overall resale premiums may soften 10-20% for routine fixtures.
• Season ticket renewals: Fans who have been loyal to the club over the years will still renew their season ticket because of their belief in the club’s project, but some of them might not buy as early as they often do, with uncertainty over the impact of his departure holding them back.

When clubs lose a global star like Salah, they expect an initial commercial dip. However, this changes and the situation improves if the team keeps playing well or if a replacement does not take too long to start making an impact.

Broader commercial revenue

Sponsorship and merchandise: Salah’s global appeal has been a key driver of shirt sales and partnerships, especially in Africa and Asia. His exit may reduce some international commercial value temporarily, although Liverpool’s strong brand mitigates this, and we expect them to replace him with another superstar soon enough.

Broadcast and global appeal: Because some fans watch Liverpool games due to the chance of watching a magical moment from Salah, without him, TV ratings for certain games could get lower, which will directly impact future rights negotiations.

Positive side: Salah is among the top five earners in England and among the biggest earners in European football, so saving his salary will free up funds for squad investment, potentially attracting new stars and maintaining competitiveness, which in turn supports long-term ticket demand.

Ticket sales outlook for the 2026/2027 season

Conclusion

Losing Mohamed Salah at the end of this season brings down the curtain on one of the club’s most successful eras in recent times.

The Egyptian has been a consistently good contributor to their success as a team in the last decade, so his departure would have a strong impact on the way the team starts next season.

Liverpool could lose some money and fan appeal, but if they sign good players and the team continues to perform well, they will not struggle with his departure for too long.