Liverpool confirm Salah and Robertson will leave on free transfers as Klopp era crumbles
Arne Slot admits the club's greatest squad is being dismantled after a season of 16 defeats
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will leave Liverpool on free transfers this summer, manager Arne Slot confirmed today, marking the definitive end of the club's most successful era in three decades.
The departures leave just three players from Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League-winning squads under Jurgen Klopp: Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Joe Gomez, all of whom will enter the final years of their contracts next season.
The End of an Era: Salah and Robertson's Summer Exit Confirmed
Slot's confirmation ends months of speculation about the futures of two players who defined Liverpool's golden period. Robertson has been at Anfield since 2017, while Salah arrived the same year and became the club's all-time Premier League top scorer.
What Slot actually said
The Liverpool manager attempted to frame the departures as part of a natural cycle:
This is one of the things we are aligned on – not now, but one and a half years ago. It is normal in football that you have cycles.
He went on to suggest that last season's Premier League title had merely delayed an inevitable rebuild:
The great thing is that we maybe postponed that cycle with last season.
The scale of the exodus
The departures represent the most significant squad overhaul in Liverpool's modern history:
- 7 years of service from both Salah and Robertson
- 2 of the 11 players who started the 2019 Champions League final
- Combined 450+ appearances for the club between them
- Zero transfer fees received for either player
Slot's Corporate Speak Can't Hide Liverpool's Crisis
The Dutch manager's insistence that everyone at the club "sees the same thing" and remains "aligned" reads like crisis management rather than genuine confidence. His repeated use of corporate buzzwords masks a brutal reality: Liverpool have suffered 16 defeats in a single season.
Reading between the lines
Slot's comments about feeling support "weird as it might sound" after the recent run of defeats reveals his awareness of the pressure. His claim that he doesn't need daily reassurance from the board suggests the opposite might be true.
It's not about every day they are saying: 'We support you, we support you.' It is talking through what we see is happening.
This defensive tone from a manager who replaced Klopp after a title-winning season speaks volumes about the current atmosphere at Anfield.
The hierarchy's silence
Neither sporting director Richard Hughes nor Michael Edwards, FSG's chief executive of football, have publicly backed Slot during this crisis. The manager's emphasis on everyone being "aligned" appears designed to quell rumours of boardroom discord.
What This Rebuild Means for Liverpool's Future Competitiveness
Liverpool face a monumental task replacing players who were integral to their success. The free transfers of Salah and Robertson mean the club receives no funds to reinvest, compounding their rebuilding challenge.
Financial implications
- Lost £150m+ in potential transfer fees for Salah alone
- Must fund replacements entirely from existing budgets
- Wage bill reduction provides only partial offset
- Champions League revenue at risk if form continues
Competitive outlook
With Van Dijk, Alisson and Gomez all entering their final contract years, Liverpool risk a rolling crisis of departures. The club's ability to attract top replacements while outside European competition remains questionable.
For bettors, Liverpool's odds for next season's Premier League title have already drifted from 8/1 to 14/1 following today's confirmation. Their Champions League qualification odds for 2026-27 stand at 5/2, reflecting serious doubts about their immediate competitive prospects.
What happens next
Liverpool must now accelerate their search for replacements, with the summer transfer window opening in eight weeks. Slot's position remains precarious despite his claims of board support, with many expecting FSG to assess potential replacements should results fail to improve.
The immediate focus turns to Sunday's match against Newcastle, where defeat would equal Liverpool's worst-ever Premier League season for losses. Beyond that, the club faces the biggest rebuilding project since the early 1990s, with no guarantee they can return to the heights reached under Klopp.
SportSignals is an independent publication. Views expressed are our own.
Sources
This article is based on reporting from the publications above. Specific facts and quotes are credited inline where used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leaving Liverpool?
Yes, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will leave the club on free transfers this summer. Both players' contracts are expiring and they will not be renewed.
How many players remain from Liverpool's Champions League winning squad?
Only three players remain from Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League winning squads under Jurgen Klopp: Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, and Joe Gomez. All three will enter the final years of their contracts next season.
Why are Salah and Robertson leaving Liverpool on free transfers?
Both players' contracts are expiring this summer and Liverpool have chosen not to renew them as part of what manager Arne Slot describes as a natural cycle in football. The club will receive no transfer fees for either player.
How long have Salah and Robertson played for Liverpool?
Both Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson joined Liverpool in 2017, meaning they have served the club for seven years. Together they have made over 450 appearances for Liverpool and were key players in the club's recent success.
