MY ACCOUNT
Mohamed Salah is in the form of his life for Liverpool.
The Egyptian has scored 19 goals and notched nine assists already this season as he continues to terrorise opposition defenders on a weekly basis.
But the Reds still have not got Salah tied down to a long-term contract, with his current deal running out in the summer of 2023.
Ahead of tonight’s clash with AC Milan, we assess whether the Egyptian king could be heading for an Anfield exit.
Storm in a teacup?
Liverpool are working hard to get Salah a new deal sorted as soon as possible.
Anfield chiefs are more than aware that a failure to do so before next summer will see other clubs test the water with bids.
But Jurgen Klopp has admitted the talks will not be resolved over a quick cuppa.
He said: “We’re talking, and extending a contract with a player like Mo is not something where you meet for a cup of tea in the afternoon and find an agreement.
“There’s really nothing else to say about Mo at the moment.
“He speaks about it and I can only say a few things because all the rest is not for the public, obviously. That’s completely normal.”
Eye-catching goals
Locking in an extension has become a more pressing issue for the Reds given Salah’s simply sensational recent form.
After five goals in his first six league outings, the 29-year-old took his game to the next level over the following three matches.
Salah netted in both the 2-2 draw with Manchester City and the 5-0 win at Watford, with both strikes worthy of winning the Goal of the Season award.
Then he bagged a hat-trick in the 5-0 demolition of fierce rivals Manchester United.
Team-mate Diogo Jota said: “He is scoring goals for fun.
“Great goals, individual goals, and for us this is helpful because we have someone on the field who can decide the game, and for the opponents they know they need to be careful and we can then take the spaces that they leave because they are too worried about him.
“I had that first feeling when I played for the national team with Ronaldo and I think I can put him [Salah] up there to the same standards, though Ronaldo has been doing it for a very long time.”
Consistent displays
Though his displays were not always this spectacular, Salah’s consistency is nothing new.
His lowest return of goals in the Premier League since he joined the Reds in 2017 is 19 — and he is well on his way to beating that this campaign with 13 already in the top flight.
Former Liverpool star Fernando Torres believes he is the man responsible for taking Klopp’s side to the next level.
The Kop idol said: “Did he bring the team on a whole other level? 100%. I think not only this year, the last two or three seasons have been amazing.
“You’re always talking about individual trophies for players when they win trophies at the same time, but I think he has been one of the best two or three players in the world in the past five or six years. It’s amazing, the consistency.”
Wanted man
Salah has been linked with a departure from Merseyside in the past and those rumours will persist if he does not sign a new contract.
But while there were reports that he may want to leave Anfield previously, that is not the case anymore.
Just last weekend, Salah publicly reiterated his desire to remain in red.
Salah explained: “I said it several times, if the decision is up to me, I want to stay in Liverpool.
“But the decision is in the hands of the management and they have to solve this issue.
“There is no problem but we have to reach an agreement for the contract. It’s up to them.
“Your financial value shows how much the club appreciates you and that they are ready to do anything for you to stay, but the decision itself is not based on those financial matters only.
“There are things like the ambition of the team and the coach and what he wants to do with the team and the players he wants.
“These are all important points when making the decision.”
Liverpool’s ambition cannot be questioned as they continue to challenge for both the Premier League title and Champions League glory.
Handing lengthy deals to players nearing their 30th birthday does not always make sense in football.
However, you can be certain it is the right move for both club and player in this instance.
