Mohamed Salah calls out Liverpool chiefs in honest chat about future | Football | Sport
Mohamed Salah has openly expressed his frustrations with Liverpool‘s higher-ups, insisting he has yet to receive a contract offer from the club although his deal expires in the summer.
The prolific forward played a crucial role in extending Liverpool‘s Premier League lead by scoring a brace in their 3-2 triumph over Southampton on Sunday.
But in a rare chat with reporters post-match, the Egyptian revealed the uncertainty about his future by suggesting he is “more out than in” due to the lack of progress made in talks.
With the clock ticking toward the final six months of his existing deal, Salah is available to negotiate a free transfer with overseas clubs come January 1.
The winger, 32, has made it clear wishes to continue his journey at Liverpool after eight seasons in a pointed message to the club’s ownership – but says they haven ot shown him they want him to stay yet.
“Well, we are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club, [so] I’m probably more out than in,” Salah revealed.
“You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future.
“I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands. Let’s wait and see. Of course [no offer is disappointing], yeah.
“I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see.
“I’m very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I’m just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible. I’m just doing my best because this is who I am and I try to give it all for myself and for the club. We will see what happens next.”
Fenway Sports Group’s cautious stance on long-term contracts for players beyond their prime has raised question marks over whether Liverpool will let Salah go. At almost 33 years old and being the top earner at Anfield, there is a decision to be made.
Although negotiations with his representative, Ramy Abbas, are still active, there’s no escaping the reality that offering Salah even higher wages might jeopardise the finely-tuned salary structure at Anfield.
He is Liverpool‘s best earner with weekly wages estimated around £350,000 which means securing a new enhanced contract for the superstar was never going to be straightforward.
Nonetheless, there seems to be a mutual eagerness to find common ground.
Liverpool rejected a staggering £150m offer from Al-Ittihad, one of Saudi Pro League’s giants, this past August with FSG president Mike Gordon directly turning down the lucrative proposal.
Salah, asked about the possibility of venturing to Saudi Arabia should contract renewal efforts falter at Liverpool, stated: “I don’t want to speak about that. I am focused with the team now.”
He added on the win at Southampton: “It is an important win (against Southampton). I’m glad that we managed to win the game because were 2-1 down. The best thing is to win the game because the next game is against Manchester City. Hopefully we keep winning.”
“I’m just playing my game. trying to chill and relax and just play. The whole team has the chemistry now with the new manager (Arne Slot). Hopefully we keep winning and win something in the end.”
Salah also told Sky Sports: “It’s great, hopefully we can keep going in the right direction. We have a game against them (Manchester City) coming up, hopefully we win so we can go more ahead like 11 points.
“Man City have had a bad time but they’re going to strike back, they have a great coach, great players. Hopefully we can beat them to go further (ahead).”
On Wednesday night, Liverpool will host Real Madrid in their next Champions League match as they aim to maintain their leading status in the elite European tournament, before Sunday’s crucial league encounter with Pep Guardiola‘s Man City.