There is no question for the 32-year-old striker of closing the door definitively. But he had a message to convey. “I’ve been at the club for a long time and there are no two like this. Ultimately I will decide my future. But I’m obviously disappointed that I didn’t get anything. I love the fans and the club. My future depends on a future proposal and I’m waiting to see.”
Mo is wrong : “I’m not going to retire anytime soon”
Last year, the Salah myth was shaken up a bit in the media. And this despite a bill which amounted to 18 goals and 10 assists in the championship. If he was criticized last year, it was mainly for his behavior off the field. Notably during an altercation with Jürgen Klopp, another Mersey icon. The German had put his player on the bench against West Ham at the end of April after a drought of a few matches. Which sparked a strong reaction from the player when entering the game.
“We respect each other too much”: Jürgen Klopp’s clarification in the altercation with Salah
Following this strong explanation, criticism flourished all over the country. “He undoubtedly has an exceptionally high opinion of himself.”Graeme Souness, the former Anfield Road legend, said in a podcast. “Salah is the most selfish player I have ever seen. […] I think he left to leave Liverpool. He’s been fabulous, but if he goes to the Saudi Pro League he’ll be the biggest star in that part of the world.”
We can doubt Souness’s opinion today. The player remained to the delight of the supporters. But until when? Indeed, the attacker threw quite a wrench into the pond this Sunday. Certainly, he has already been flirted with by Saudi groups. According to certain sources (not always serious), Al Ittihad had even offered up to 990 million euros to the player for a five-year contract.
“If I speak today, it will be fire”: Mo Salah and Jurgen Klopp argue in the middle of a match
One thing is certain, his age has no impact on his performance and he wants to continue playing. It remains to be seen where. “I’m not going to retire anytime soon.”he decided again. “I’m just playing, focusing on the season and trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League too. I’m disappointed, but we’ll see.”
Liverpool want to extend it
This is not the first time that the Egyptian has put pressure on its leaders. In 2022, there was also a real saga around a possible extension. He then spoke to GQ magazine about his future. Different media, therefore, but same approach.
According to Sky Sports, discussions were already started in October for the future of the player who shook the nets for his club 223 times. “The dialogue continues with Ramy Abbas, Salah’s representative, and a formal offer is usually only made when conditions have been accepted”estimates the English media. “There is still a gap between the player’s expectations and what the club has put on the table. But sources at Liverpool believe the negotiations have been positive. Salah wants to stay at Anfield and the league leaders want to keep him.”
Furthermore, Mo Salah is not the only one in this situation since Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also at the end of their contract. Faced with this situation, Arne Slot had already had to speak out. “In general, contractual situations are brought up by the people who need to talk about them. I am one of them, but I must not talk about it in public. “I’m discussing it with the athletic director, Richard Hughes, and that’s where we need to move forward and not in front of a microphone with you.”
For Jamie Carragher, the question shouldn’t even arise. “In the kop you could see ‘Now give Mo his money'”he explained for Sky. “He’s an absolute superstar. Liverpool have had a lot of success over the years, but there haven’t been many players better than him. He is one of the greatest players to ever wear the club’s colors. There is no doubt that all the fans want to see him in a Liverpool shirt next season.”
Especially if he continues to make supporters dream of a new English championship title since the Reds are eight points ahead of City.
