LIVERPOOL — An emotional Mohamed Salah said "we put the club back where it belongs" after playing his final game for Liverpool on Sunday.

A 1-1 draw at home to Brentford on the last day of the Premier League season marked the end of the Egyptian forward's nine-year spell at Anfield. Salah, 33, bid farewell alongside Scotland defender Andy Robertson, who also joined Liverpool in 2017.

Salah scored 257 goals for Liverpool, behind only Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) in the club's list of leading goalscorers.

He has also won multiple trophies at the club including the Champions League and two Premier League titles.

"I think I cried more than in my whole life," Salah told Sky Sports after the Brentford match. "I'm not really an emotional guy.

"We lived our youth here, sharing everything from the beginning to the end," said Salah of the time he spent with Robertson at Anfield."We put this club back where it belongs."

Robertson, too, made no attempt to hide his feelings, saying he felt "emotionally drained" after playing his final game for Liverpool.

'Our family'

"In years to come, we know we are both welcome back to this football club. This is a big chapter in our book, but it's not the end," Robertson said.

"First and foremost, we have to switch off and focus on the World Cup. I know this is our family and we'll be welcomed back."

Salah's departure was announced in March, after he told reporters in December his relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slot had broken down.

And, in a social media post following the previous week's defeat at Aston Villa, Salah said he wanted to see a return to "heavy metal football", referring to the approach under former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

But he still started the match against Brentford, with the names of both Salah and Robertson met with a deafening roar when introduced by the stadium announcer.

Banners in the crowd celebrated both players, one saying "Thank you legends". Another said: "We have gone from great to glory. Salah is our King".

"Brilliant as expected," said Slot of the reception for Salah and Robertson. "Our fans always find a way of doing something special in beautiful moments and in special moments."

Salah was the Premier League's top scorer last season, with 29 goals, as Liverpool won the title, but his form dipped dramatically this term and he managed just seven goals in the league.

The draw with Brentford, allied to Bournemouth's defeat by Manchester United, ensured Liverpool secured fifth position in the Premier League, guaranteeing the six-time European champion a place in next season's Champions League.

"It's tricky to leave Liverpool," said Salah, adding: "It's life. I look back and wonder if I would have wanted more than I achieved. Not really.

"We won it all. We see the love from the fans, and this is the most important thing for me.

"I will be far away from here. I will be emotional every time. I hope the team stays in this position, fighting for everything."

AFP