Jurgen Klopp’s belief that Mohamed Salah’s “best years” are still to come serves as a warning Liverpool’s owners, with the Egyptian forward admitting he is more likely to leave than stay next summer.
Salah voiced his “disappointment” at Liverpool’s failure to offer him a new contract following their 3-2 victory over Southampton on Sunday.
He netted two goals – including an 83rd minute winner from the penalty spot – to help Arne Slot’s side extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points.
The Reds face an increasingly concerning situation where three of their key players – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Salah – are free from January 1 onwards to negotiate with other clubs for a move away at the end of the season.
Salah’s future has been a hot topic of discussion given his contract is due to expire, especially with increasing interest from Saudi Arabia in recent years which saw Liverpool turn down a whopping £150million bid from Al-Ittihad.
At 32, Salah’s sensational form has been as crucial as ever to the Reds’ success this season, suggesting his departure would be a significant setback to Slot’s project.Klopp said when Salah penned a new deal: “This is a special treat for our supporters to enjoy their weekend even more.
I’m sure there will be some celebrations for this news tonight. Really pleased – really, really pleased. It’s the best decision for us and best decision for him.“He belongs with us I think. This is his club now. I have no doubt Mo’s best years are still to come. And that’s saying something, because the first five seasons here have been the stuff of legend.
Salah’s fresh comments, shared on Monday, unveiled the latest bombshell surrounding his unresolved contract situation, ramping up the likelihood that he will leave Anfield after the current campaign.
But there were also positives to take from a Liverpool point of view, as he expressed his preference is to stay, while noting his relationship with the Anfield fans.
He said after Sunday’s win: “Well, we are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club. I’m probably more out than in.“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.”Asked if he was disappointed at the lack of offers from Liverpool, Salah responded: “Of course, yeah. 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.“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.” Liverpool and Slot have not yet publicly commented on Salah’s remarks.Salah has made 367 appearances for Liverpool, netting a remarkable 223 goals in all competitions while becoming the club’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 165 goals.
In his seven-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, the Egypt international has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
