What does the Liverpool squad that Mohamed Salah debuted in 2017 look like now?
As Mohamed Salah prepares to conclude his great journey at Anfield, let's look back at the teammates who stood alongside him on his Liverpool debut nine years ago.
Mohamed Salah has officially confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of this season, marking the end of a glorious era. Looking back at the Egyptian star's debut in the 3-3 draw against Watford at Vicarage Road on August 12, 2017, fans can see how the Reds' appearance has completely changed.
The defense: The departure of the bodyguards.
Back in 2017, Simon Mignolet was still Jurgen Klopp's first-choice goalkeeper before Alisson Becker arrived. Now 38 years old, the Belgian goalkeeper plays in his homeland for Club Brugge. Above him, Trent Alexander-Arnold – who was then just a young talent – has risen to become a key player with 354 appearances before joining Real Madrid last summer.
The central defensive pairing of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have also left Anfield in different ways. Lovren is currently playing for PAOK in Greece at the age of 36 after a stint in Russia and France. Meanwhile, Matip – one of the most successful free transfers in the club's history – announced his retirement in 2024 after eight years of service. On the left flank, Alberto Moreno is currently on the books of Como in Serie A under the management of Cesc Fabregas.
Midfield: Veteran leaders
Liverpool's three-man midfield at Vicarage Road that year consisted of Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, and Georginio Wijnaldum. Notably, former captain Henderson, after a short stint in Saudi Arabia, joined Ajax and is now playing impressively for Brentford in England at the age of 35.
In addition, Emre Can has found stability at Borussia Dortmund since 2020 after a stint with Juventus. Georginio Wijnaldum, an indispensable link in Klopp's prime, is currently playing for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League after leaving PSG.
Attack: The disintegration of the legendary trio
The match against Watford in 2017 marked the first steps of the Salah-Firmino-Mane trio. Roberto Firmino, after eight years of dedication, moved to Al Ahli and is now playing for Al-Sadd in Qatar. His reliable partner, Sadio Mane, is also competing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Finally, there's Mohamed Salah, the only remaining player from that day's starting lineup. Despite the ups and downs of his final season under manager Arne Slot, the Egyptian striker's legacy of two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy has made him an immortal legend at Anfield. His departure at the end of this season officially closes the last piece of the 2017 starting lineup.
