‘Swan song’ claims as Salah’s emotional Anfield lap fuels exit fears

Mohamed Salah
December 2025

Mohamed Salah’s extended applause for Liverpool fans after the win over Brighton has been read by body-language expert Darren Stanton as a likely “swan song”, with the analyst suggesting the occasion looked and felt like a farewell even without any official announcement on the forward’s future. Restored to the squad after clear-the-air talks, Salah took a slow lap of Anfield post-match, clapping supporters as banners hailed his achievements. Stanton highlighted apparent tears, micro-expressions of sadness and the timing before AFCON as signs Salah internally recognises he may never again walk out there as a Liverpool player.