Liverpool players, both past and present, have paid homage to Mohamed Salah following his announcement that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Salah, 33, revealed in a statement on Tuesday evening that he has come to an agreement with the Reds to terminate his contract and leave on a free transfer this summer.

The Egyptian international joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and has since had a successful nine-year stint on Merseyside, netting 255 goals in 435 appearances and securing seven major trophies. He expressed in a social media video: “Hello everyone, unfortunately the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life.

“Liverpool is not just a football club, it’s a passion it’s a history. It’s a spirit. I can’t explain the words to anyone not part of this club. We celebrated victory, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life. I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the team-mates past and present.”

“And to the fans: I don’t have enough words, the support you showed me through the best time of my career and you stood by me in the toughest times. It is something I will never forget and something I will take with me always.

“Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will always be one of you. This club will always be my home to me and to my family. Thank you for everything, because of all of you I will never walk alone.”

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Following Salah’s announcement, a host of Liverpool players, both former and current, responded and paid tribute to the departing Reds icon.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool last summer to sign with Real Madrid, shared numerous unforgettable moments playing alongside Salah, and posted a red love heart emoji in the comments.

Alexis Mac Allister added a clapping emoji, while Harvey Elliott wrote “legend” accompanied by a crying and a red love heart emoji, then Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk commented a red love heart and clapping emoji.

Jordan Henderson, currently at Brentford, responded with a king and red love heart emoji.

Florian Wirtz posted a folded hands and red love heart emoji and Ryan Gravenberch commented “legend” with a red love heart emoji.

Darwin Nunez added a red love heart and king emoji, while Ibrahima Konate declared, “The King”. Joe Gomez also wrote two red love heart emojis and Steven Gerrard contributed a red love heart emoji of his own.

The most heartfelt tribute, meanwhile, came from long-serving left-back Andy Robertson, who arrived at Liverpool in the same summer as Salah, and remarked “the greatest” before posting his own separate Instagram message.

Accompanied by a photograph of him and Salah, Robertson wrote: “Mohammed, Thank you. 9 of the best years of our lives with amazing memories on and off the pitch. Watching you become the best at what you do and become one of the best to ever have worn the Liverpool shirt has been a joy to watch and be part of.

“Your mentality is second to none and a lot of people could take note. You have pushed yourself every single day and always demanded more from yourself and others. A pleasure sharing the pitch with you for so long but even more so being able to call you a friend.

“You deserve a send off that reflects your status at LFC- the greatest. Second to none [Egypt flag and king emoji].”