As the final whistle echoed across Anfield, Mohamed Salah’s emotional farewell to Liverpool was sealed with a sublime assist that etched his name in the club’s record books. The Egyptian forward, known for his relentless drive and precision, delivered the 93rd assist of his Reds career in a 1-1 draw against Brentford, ensuring Liverpool’s fifth-place finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League for the 2026/27 season.

With tears in his eyes, Salah played the final 90 minutes on the right wing, the position he has occupied since his arrival from Roma in 2017. Despite speculation about a possible bench role following recent criticism after the defeat at Aston Villa, Salah started the game with determination. His best chance came from a free-kick early in the first half, but it rattled against the post, denying him a chance to add to his 257 Liverpool goals.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute when Salah’s perfectly weighted cross from outside the box was converted by Curtis Jones, who had been deployed at right-back in an unconventional tactical setup. However, Brentford equalized shortly after through Kevin Schade’s close-range header, a moment that highlighted the fragility of Liverpool’s defense. Nevertheless, the point secured Liverpool’s Champions League qualification, a goal achieved despite their inability to maintain a clean sheet for the umpteenth time this season.

Defensive and Goalkeeping Ratings

• Alisson Becker (6/10): Made a crucial save against Schade before halftime but was helpless against the equalizer. His performance underlined why he remains Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper despite defensive lapses.
• Curtis Jones (7/10): Shifted to right-back, Jones was a standout performer. His involvement in Liverpool’s best attacking sequences in the first half culminated in the opening goal, a testament to his versatility and composure under pressure.
• Ibrahima Konaté (5/10): Solid in the air and precise with his passing, but his unforced error earned him an avoidable yellow card. His contract expiring this summer adds pressure to his future at the club.
• Virgil van Dijk (6/10): Dominant as ever, the Dutchman’s leadership was evident, yet his frustration was palpable as Liverpool conceded yet another avoidable goal.
• Andy Robertson (6/10): Selected ahead of Kerkez for his final Liverpool appearance, Robertson was solid but not spectacular. He was outmuscled by Schade for the equalizer, though he was far from alone in being caught off guard by the deflected cross. Like Salah, he received a well-deserved standing ovation upon his substitution.

Midfield Performances

• Ryan Gravenberch (7/10): One of Liverpool’s most energetic players, he drove forward impressively in the first half and nearly scored with a well-struck long-range effort.
• Alexis Mac Allister (5/10): Worked tirelessly but struggled with efficiency. His frustration boiled over with a reckless tackle on Igor Thiago in stoppage time, earning him a yellow card.
• Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10): Mobile and influential, he found Gakpo in the box with a sublime cross that deserved to be converted, and later set up Wirtz for a golden chance. While not flawless, he remains Liverpool’s strongest contender for the Player of the Season award.

Attacking Evaluations

• Mohamed Salah (8/10): Played with a determination to leave a lasting impression. His free-kick hit the post early on, but his cross for Jones’ goal ensured his place as Liverpool’s all-time top assist provider in the Premier League, surpassing Steven Gerrard’s record.
• Cody Gakpo (6/10): Created multiple chances for his teammates, including the assist for Salah’s cross that led to Jones’ goal. His headed attempt from a Szoboszlai cross was deflected away, a missed opportunity in an otherwise solid performance.
• Rio Ngumoha (7/10): The young forward showed bravery and composure, nearly opening the scoring with a curled effort that narrowly missed the target.

Substitutes and Managerial Impact

• Florian Wirtz (6/10): Returning to form, he replaced Ngumoha late in the game. Though initially struggling, he came close to scoring in stoppage time before Kelleher made a brilliant save to preserve the draw.
• Jeremie Frimpong (5/10): Came on for Salah on the right wing with 16 minutes left but failed to make a significant impact.
• Arne Slot (5/10): Resisted the urge to bench Salah after his outburst following the Aston Villa defeat. The assist for Jones’ goal was a reward for his decision, but concerns remain over Liverpool’s defensive frailties that Slot must address in the summer transfer window.