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Ibrahima Konate pushed Salah forward to receive the applause of the travelling Kopites, the Egyptian having marked his final Merseyside derby appearance by equalling Steven Gerrard for most goals in this fixture in the Premier League.
Then it was Andy Robertson’s turn, although the Scot needed some convincing to receive his applause.
Liverpool's old guard deliver Everton derby blow
Salah and Robertson are two true leaders, each in their own unique way. Salah through the way in which he conducts himself and leads by example in his approach to fitness, in particular. Robertson, through his character, hard work and camaraderie.
Attributes that can't be valued on a spreadsheet that every club needs in order to be successful.
The duo will leave a huge void in the Liverpool changing room. They’ll also be badly missed on the pitch. Both can still contribute at the top level, as they proved at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Are they both being discarded too soon? Many Liverpool fans would certainly say so.
Salah, for all his drop in form this season, still has 21 goal contributions to his name and is very much the nexus of this side, the go-to player in Liverpool’s attack. Only four players on the pitch had more touches than the 33-year-old, who completed 34 passes - 16 more than Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak combined.
Robertson, meanwhile, again showed what Liverpool have missed this season without him, making more passes into the final third than any outfield player. The Scot’s ability to play from the back is underrated and certainly something Milos Kerkez isn’t able to do to the same effect.
And then there’s Van Dijk. The absolute leader of this side, who won the derby with his header in the 10th minute of stoppage time to conjure memories of his derby winner on his debut in another 2-1 win back in 2018.
It was a goal he was reminded of post-match in an interview with Sky Sports, but which he was quick to instead focus on his unhappiness at how this season is ending for Liverpool.
“Today was massive, in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots,” the captain said, “Obviously that is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality and it was important we got the win today. I’m glad we did.”
That reality is one that doesn’t make great reading for a team that had far greater ambitions coming into this season, now playing out the end of the season with the sole aim of finishing in the top five and thus securing Champions League football next season.
Not that Salah or Robertson will be playing in the Champions League for Liverpool next season, but they both have a lot more to give at the very top level.
Van Dijk made clear his thoughts post-match, with Salah looking somewhat emotional as his captain described his importance to the club and the team.
“He’s so important for us on and off the pitch,” said Van Dijk. “I would say the appreciation sometimes comes when a player is gone, but we appreciate him so much.
“He’s an outstanding teammate to have, obviously everything we’ve been through together - highs, lows - and he will still be important for the five games we have to play. It will be emotional for him and his family for sure, but for us also because he meant a lot to me, and to the team.”
Salah was named Sky’s Player of the Match. “Hopefully I go out, farewell, in the right way,” he said.
It seems a strange way for a player who clearly has so much still to offer, to be leaving on a free transfer. As far as baffling decisions from football clubs go, this is right up there.
The irony is, Salah’s goals this season may save Arne Slot’s job, just as last season his 29 Premier League goals played a huge part in winning the title.
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