Well I saw our Liverpool win at home. A really important one against Brighton. It finished 2-0. Felt so strange and happy and sad all mixed together. Mo Salah came back and you could see him crying later which made my heart feel heavy.
Anfield was so loud. People were singing “say it ain’t so, Mo.” Like everyone was begging. I just stood there and listened. His family was there watching too I heard.
We scored so fast it was crazy. Like barely a minute in. Hugo Ekitiké got it. He scored again later too. Honestly the whole game felt like it was about more than just goals.
Brighton had their chances. They really did. Our keeper was busy. But they just couldn’t get it in the net. We got a bit lucky maybe.
Then Mo came on. Earlier than anyone thought because someone got hurt. The noise then was the biggest all day. He looked so ready to play. He ran everywhere. He helped make the second goal. He pointed right at the Kop after.
But the whole time I was thinking, is this it? Is he saying goodbye? He’s going to that Africa tournament now. Everyone was talking about it after. My friend turned to me and said it feels like an ending.
He missed a chance near the end. But it didn’t even matter. What mattered was him clapping us and crying. The manager looked pleased but also serious.
We won. Needed that after a weird week. But honestly walking out, nobody was just talking about the win. We were all just wondering if we saw Mo Salah play for us for the last time. I don’t know the answer. Makes you want to come back next time just to see.
Walking home after, the city felt different. Not just happy from a win, but quieter. Like after a big party when you’re left alone with the empty cups. You keep seeing his face in your mind, from when he was applauding us back.
I think about what he’s given us. All those goals. The running. The smiles. It’s hard to picture someone else wearing that number. But football keeps moving doesn’t it? It never asks if you’re ready for the next thing.
The manager, Arne Slot, he looked proud but you could tell he was thinking. Making a big choice like putting Mo on early. It shows he gets it. Gets what the club means to people. Not just the tactics on a board.
I wonder what the other lads felt in the locker room. Like Ekitiké scoring two but knowing all the talk is about Mo. Football is a funny life that way. Your biggest moment gets shared with someone else’s goodbye.
Maybe it’s not a full goodbye though. He has to go play for his country now. That’s an honour. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens after. That’s the thing with football, you always have to wait and see. Makes you cherish afternoons like this one, even the sad parts.
