With tears in his eyes, Mohamed Salah bid a heartfelt farewell to Anfield after setting Liverpool’s all-time Premier League assists record in their 1-1 draw with Brentford. Though speculation swirled about a possible bench role under Arne Slot following recent criticism after the Aston Villa loss, the 33-year-old Egyptian was named in the starting XI on the right wing, the position he has occupied since joining from Roma in 2017.

• Goalkeepers and defenders

  Alisson Becker (6/10):

  In what may have been his final appearance at Anfield in a Liverpool shirt, the Brazilian made a crucial save against Schade just before half-time. He was powerless, however, to prevent Brentford’s equaliser.

  Curtis Jones (7/10):

  Deployed out of position at right-back, the youngster rose to the challenge. He was instrumental in Liverpool’s best attacking spells early on and then fired home after Salah’s sublime cross. A shame that a Brentford deflection rebounded off his backside to set up Schade’s equaliser, but it was a timely reminder of Jones’ quality as his future at Liverpool may lie elsewhere this summer.

  Ibrahima Konaté (5/10):

  Composed in the air and precise with his passing, he picked up an avoidable yellow card for a clumsy challenge—a recurring trait as his contract nears its end.

  Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

  A typically dominant display from the Dutchman, though he will have been disappointed once again that Liverpool failed to keep a clean sheet.

  Andy Robertson (6/10):

  Preferred to Kerkez for his final Liverpool outing, the Scot was solid without being spectacular. He was outmuscled by Schade for the equaliser, though he wasn’t alone in being caught off guard by the deflected cross. Like his close friend Salah, Robertson received a well-deserved standing ovation as he left the field.

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• Midfielders

  Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):

  One of Liverpool’s most energetic performers, he drove forward impressively in the first half and nearly opened the scoring with a well-struck long-range effort.

  Alexis Mac Allister (5/10):

  He pressed hard but his lack of end product remains a concern. His frustration boiled over with a heavy tackle on Igor Thiago, earning a yellow card in stoppage time.

  Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10):

  As mobile as ever, he found Gakpo in the box with a superb cross that deserved to be converted, before setting up Wirtz with another fine chance. Not exceptional, but still the only realistic contender for Liverpool’s Player of the Season award.

• Forwards

  Mohamed Salah (8/10):

  He played as if determined to finish with a goal, and luck was not on his side when his sublime first-half free kick cannoned off the crossbar with Kelleher beaten. His cross, which led to Jones’ goal, was a masterclass in control and allowed him to overtake Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s all-time Premier League assist leader.

  Cody Gakpo (6/10):

  He fashioned several chances for his teammates and was the instigator of Salah’s cross that set up Jones’ opener. He might regret that his glancing header from a Szoboszlai cross was palmed away by a Brentford defender.

  Rio Ngumoha (7/10):

  The fearless teenager consistently took his chances and nearly opened the scoring with a sublime curling effort that just missed the target.

• Substitutes and manager

  Florian Wirtz (6/10):

  Back to full fitness, the German entered the fray with around 20 minutes left. Though he struggled initially, Wirtz was denied a late winner by Kelleher’s brilliant save in stoppage time.

  Jeremie Frimpong (5/10):

  Introduced for Salah on the right flank at the 74th minute, he had little impact.

  Trey Nyoni (not rated):

  He replaced Gravenberch in midfield for the final ten minutes.

  Milos Kerkez (N/A):

  He came on for Robertson in the 83rd minute.

  Joe Gomez (N/A):

  Replaced Konaté in the dying seconds.

  Arne Slot (5/10):

  He resisted the urge to bench Salah after his latest outburst and was rewarded with an assist. Ngumoha also impressed in his first start, but Slot faces a mountain of work this summer to address Liverpool’s leaky defence.