Where are Liverpool's 2019 champions now? Closing the chapter on "Salah," the last of the legendary SMF trio.
A photo of the players lined up before the 2018-19 Champions League final, where Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to claim the club's sixth European title and ignite the greatest "golden era" at Anfield in 30 years.
The following season, Liverpool won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, then set a world record by winning the Premier League with 99 points in 2020.
But today, that legendary team has almost completely dispersed, with only three remaining: Van Dijk, Alisson, and Robertson. Meanwhile, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah is preparing to end his nine years at Liverpool at the close of the 2025-26 season.
Mohamed Salah has played 435 matches for the Anfield club, scoring 255 goals and providing 122 assists, helping the team win numerous major trophies including the long-awaited Premier League title, marking the club's first top-flight league championship in 30 years.
Virgil van Dijk The Dutch captain and defensive cornerstone, 34 years old, still plays for Liverpool and is serving his third year as team captain.
Mohamed Salah He will become a free agent this summer after both parties agreed to terminate his remaining one-year contract early.
Alisson Becker The outstanding Brazilian goalkeeper remains Liverpool's first-choice keeper, making crucial saves in many matches.
Roberto Firmino The beloved SMF trio member left after his contract expired in 2023, moving to Al Ahli in the Saudi Arabian league and currently plays for Al Sadd, the Qatari league champions.
Sadio Mané One of the great SMF trio, he moved to Bayern Munich in 2022 but faced difficulties before transferring to Saudi Arabia. He currently plays for Al Nassr, the same team as Ronaldo.
Jordan Henderson The captain who lifted the Champions League trophy moved to Saudi Arabia with Al Ittifaq, then to Ajax Amsterdam, before returning to England where he now plays for Brentford.
Georginio Wijnaldum Transferred to PSG in 2021, then loaned to Roma, before following Steven Gerrard to Al Ittifaq in 2023.
Fabinho The Brazilian defensive midfielder left Liverpool in summer 2023 to join Al Ittihad in the Saudi league, joining Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté who had moved earlier.
Joel Matip The excellent Cameroonian center-back officially retired from football in 2024.
Trent Alexander-Arnold One of the best right-backs of his era, this is Liverpool's first season without him since 2015-16 after he moved to Real Madrid upon contract expiry.
Andy Robertson The Scottish left-back's contract is expiring, and although Tottenham tried to sign him last January, Liverpool rejected the offer. It remains unclear whether he will stay or leave after this season.
This team left a legacy at Anfield, winning the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, two Premier League titles, FA Cup, and League Cup — eight trophies in five years — the greatest era since Bobby Robson's time.
Liverpool is moving forward with players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson as bridges to the past, while new manager Arne Slot is building a new team with players such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Jeremy Frimpong, and Cody Gakpo.