Salah: Guardiola pays glowing tribute after announcement of Liverpool legend’s impending exit

Ahead of their FA Cup clash against Liverpool, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola took his time to praise the contribution of Egypt forward Mohamed Salah to the Premier League and Anfield outfit.

Guardiola’s comments came following Salah’s decision to announced he will leave the Anfield outfit at the end of the season. Salah will bid farewell upon the conclusion of his ninth campaign as a Red and as one of the greatest to have ever worn the shirt.

Just look at the way the greatest manager speaks about the greatest player who has caused him problems throughout his career. Wow respect, Pep ❤️

“Mo Salah is an absolute legend of the game.”pic.twitter.com/CKVpaCNKfJ https://t.co/ntw1ShcwEx

— Living Liverpool (@Livin_Liverpool) April 3, 2026

The forward reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield. He expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.

Salah deserves the incredible recognition

“One of the greats. What a player! I think he’s an incredible human being,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of the FA Cup clash.

“Goals and assists, an absolute legend for Liverpool and for the whole Premier League for what he has done. I think it’s a good moment to say goodbye to him in this country tomorrow, he deserves the incredible recognition that he has given to world football, especially in this country.”

On Friday, Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed the return from injury of Salah ahead of the Manchester City test at the Etihad on Saturday.

Salah will leave as legend of this club

Salah had missed the defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break with a muscle injury and then did not link up with Egypt during the just concluded FIFA Series matches.

“Hopefully he can make his legacy even more special in the upcoming weeks and months where we still play for something special. But he will always leave this club as a legend because, as I said, the way this club has performed in the last seasons is also for a large part due to what he’s done for it,” said Slot.

“Scoring goals, having his assists. As I said, as a fan I watched him and that front three with Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino… everybody is still talking about that, and rightly so.

“And then when I started working with him, I don’t know if it was his best season in terms of numbers, but it was an impressive season because he had the most goals and the most assists and I don’t know if that has happened much with him, let alone with any player in the Premier League.

“He will definitely leave as a legend of this club.”

Salah’s final Anfield appearance for Liverpool is likely to come on the last day of the league season when Brentford visit Merseyside on May 24.