Mohamed Salah says he is disappointed he is still yet to be offered a new contract by Liverpool and is “probably more out than in”, with his current deal expiring at the end of this season.
That will come as alarming news to Liverpool supporters, who sang his name through the second half of the 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday, when the Egyptian scored twice to seal a comeback and extend the Reds’ lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Salah is having a stellar campaign, with 10 goals and six assists in his first 12 league appearances of the season. But the prospects of him extending his eight-season stay at Liverpool remain unclear.
“Well, we are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club,” the 32-year-old told the media after the match at St Mary’s. “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 there had been no offer from Liverpool, Salah said: “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.”
In September, Salah toldSky Sports: “No one at the club has spoken to me about contracts, so I’m just like, ‘OK, I’m playing my last season’ and see what happens at the end of the season.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are also out of contract this summer.
Speaking on November 1, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “All three are playing really well at the moment and there are ongoing discussions with the people Virgil says he has to talk to, and that’s not me as you know. I talk to him about other things.”
Carra: Salah’s contract comments are ‘selfish’
Sky Sports Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:
“”Right now there’s obviously a big difference in the valuation. What Mo Salah and his agent value themselves at, whether that’s financially or in terms of length of contract, to what Liverpool do.
“So the reason Liverpool wouldn’t have offered a contract yet is because Mo Salah will turn it down, so they’re still in talks. I’m desperate for them to meet in the middle, but I must say I am very disappointed with Mo Salah. That interview yesterday after the game and it comes out today.
“Liverpool have got Real Madrid midweek and they’ve got Manchester City at the weekend, that’s the story for Liverpool right now.
“Mo Salah, we’re all quite aware, certainly the local reporters are in Liverpool, that in the seven years he’s been at the football club he’s stopped in the mixed zone twice, which is his right, which is absolutely fine.
“But he decided to stop for the third time away at Southampton on the back of winning Liverpool the game and putting that out.
“Now the most important thing for Liverpool this season is not the future of Mo Salah, it’s not the future of Virgil van Dijk and it’s not the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“The most important thing is Liverpool winning the Premier League. That is more important than any of those players, and if he continues to put comments out or his agent keeps putting cryptic tweets out, that’s selfish, that’s thinking about themselves and not the football club.”
Analysis: Compromise needed on both sides – but it should get there
Sky Sports News’ senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
“You can understand why Salah has termed it this way. He doesn’t have a new offer on the table, it’s nearly December and he can speak to overseas clubs in January, which is just a blink away.
“It’s important to stress negotiations are ongoing between Liverpool and Salah’s representative Remy Abbas. I’m told those are open, developing conversations. But, ultimately, a formal proposal is only made when you’ve agreed on all the terms you are discussing.
“Things are progressing in the right direction, but obviously there is a gap between what Salah wants and what Liverpool are prepared to put on the table. There has to be a compromise on both sides.
“Liverpool have to think about long-term squad planning, the age profile of the team, and about operating sustainably. But they would need to bend their parameters for Salah.
“He still wants to compete for domestic titles, and the Champions League. If he’s looking around, which top club would have space for him, and the ability to pay him what he deserves, and give him the freedom he wants?
“He has made it abundantly clear he loves Liverpool and wants to stay. So there also needs to be a bit of compromise on his side, and because there is a will to get a deal done from both parties, it will ultimately get there.
“There is an element of Liverpool being conscious that whatever concessions they make with Salah, they also have two other big contract issues to sort with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so there might be a bit of a knock-on effect there.
“I’m told the club are very calm, but you can understand why the players, especially with the status of Salah, aren’t feeling that way.”