Watching Mohamed Salah has been the thrill of my footballing lifetime | Chris Smith

Sadness over the Egyptian King’s departure from Liverpool is matched by gratitude for the goals and glory he gave supporters

The first time I saw Mohamed Salah play was in August 2017. Arsenal were the visitors to Anfield. Liverpool were sensational on that sunny Sunday afternoon. Bobby Firmino and Sadio Mané had fashioned a 2-0 first-half lead, before the third member of Jürgen Klopp’s new attacking trio added his name to the record.

Arsenal’s corner was cleared to Héctor Bellerín, some 30 yards out. Salah was on him instantly, robbing the hapless Spaniard easily. His whirring legs blurred like the Road Runner’s as he raced into the Arsenal half and towards Petr Cech. I’d never seen a player bear down on the Kop goal so rapidly.