Mo Salah sees Liverpool want granted as Anfield crowd response speaks volumes
Mohamed Salah was reduced to tears before and after the full-time whistle against Brentford as he waved goodbye to the Liverpool supporters at Anfield
Mohamed Salah (Image: (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Mo Salah brought the curtain down on his Liverpool career with a wish being granted. The Kop icon was in tears as he heard ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ for one last time at Anfield following his side’s 1-1 draw with Brentford.
And on an emotional afternoon, the forward got exactly what he wanted when it came to the reception the returning Jordan Henderson received. Henderson was back at Anfield for the first time since he left the club to join Al-Ettifaq nearly three years ago.
The England international captained Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League glory but was never given a proper Anfield farewell ahead of his move to Saudi Arabia. But back at Anfield on Sunday afternoon with Brentford, Henderson was given a standing ovation by Liverpool supporters as he made his way off the pitch when he was replaced by Aaron Hickey on the hour mark.
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Reds players and boss Arne Slot joined in with the applause, and then after the game, Henderson went on a lap of appreciation around Anfield, clapping all four sides of the ground, with Reds supporters showing plenty of love for the midfielder in return.
The moments came after Salah called on Liverpool supporters to give the midfielder a special reception. Speaking in an interview with Steven Gerrard earlier this month, the forward said: “I think for the last game of the season against Brentford, the people in the city know how much it meant to Hendo being here.
“[He was] captain of the club, here longer than me, Robbo [Andy Robertson] Virg [Virgil van Dijk], he did not get the farewell he deserved.
“I don’t know how the club is going to manage it, I have no plan but I really wish they do something special for him because he has been one of the best players at this club and without him, we don’t achieve what we achieved.”
Gerrard then said: “Listen, the fans I’m sure absolutely idolised Henderson, just like yourself, get him next to you at the end of the game if you can, get him involved.”
Before Salah replied: “I really hope so, maybe people not in the dressing room [know how important he was], but you were aware of it as you played with him and he loved the club.”
Henderson lasted just six months in Saudi before joining Dutch giants Ajax. He then spent 18 months in Amsterdam before returning to the Premier League this summer to join Brentford.
And on the reception he received, Henderson admitted: “Coming back here was emotional for me. The reaction when I went off was incredible; I had goosebumps. It was nice to come back and see the fans. My family is here.
“It’s an emotional time seeing someone like Mo [Salah] leaving this club. I thanked him for everything he’s done for this club and me. Tough day. For us, as a team, it was tough not getting over the line and then it was tough watching that. The away fans were great again today.
“It was always a tough ask to come here and win. To get so close and not quite get over the line is tough to take. We have to kick on again next year.”
