Liverpool farewell to Salah and Robertson sets tone for Premier League transfer summer

Liverpool’s emotional goodbye to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson has marked the end of an era at Anfield, while Nottingham Forest’s new deal for Murillo has already reshaped one of the early defensive transfer stories of the summer.

Liverpool’s final Premier League match of the season turned into one of the most emotional moments of the campaign, as supporters and players said goodbye to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. The club had prepared special Anfield mosaics for both players before the Brentford match, describing them as two legends and key figures in Liverpool’s success over the past nine years.

The farewell carried major sporting meaning as well as emotional weight. Salah and Robertson were central to Liverpool’s modern golden period, helping the club win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup. Their exits leave Arne Slot facing a major rebuild, especially on the right side of attack and at left-back, where Liverpool must now replace not only quality, but also experience, leadership and identity.

Salah’s departure is particularly significant. He leaves Liverpool as one of the greatest forwards in the club’s history and one of the most productive players of the Premier League era. His final appearance against Brentford included another assist, underlining the consistency that made him irreplaceable for almost a decade. Robertson’s exit also closes a defining chapter: the Scotland international was a core part of the high-energy full-back system that shaped Liverpool’s best years under Jürgen Klopp.

At the same time, one of the most watched defensive transfer stories has already taken an important turn. Nottingham Forest confirmed that Brazilian centre-back Murillo has signed a new contract until the summer of 2030. The 23-year-old has played 39 times in all competitions this season and has now passed 100 appearances for Forest since joining the club from Corinthians in 2023.

Murillo’s renewal is a strong statement from Forest. The defender had been linked with interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, with reports earlier in the year suggesting that both clubs were monitoring him as part of their defensive planning. By extending his deal, Forest have strengthened their negotiating position and signalled that they do not intend to lose one of their most valuable assets cheaply.

These two developments show how quickly the Premier League transfer market can change after the final round. Liverpool now enter the summer with two major legacy players leaving and clear gaps to fill, while Forest have moved early to protect a key centre-back from the market. For Chelsea, Liverpool and other clubs looking for defensive reinforcements, Murillo’s new deal could force a reassessment of targets and transfer budgets.

The summer window is therefore already taking shape around two themes: rebuilding after the end of an era at Liverpool, and clubs trying to secure their best young assets before larger rivals move decisively. Salah and Robertson’s farewell gives Liverpool an emotional starting point for change, while Murillo’s contract shows that mid-table and ambitious clubs are becoming more determined to control the market on their own terms.