Mohamed Salah Embarrasses Liverpool Hierarchy Again

Mohamed Salah EmbarresMohamed Salah Embarreses Liverpool Hierarchy Again

For Mohamed Salah, the new year could bring new beginnings in a more fundamental way than most.

The clanging of the bells to usher on January 1st, 2025, opens the opportunity for suitors of the Egyptian attacker to negotiate with the Liverpool player as he will enter the final 6 months of his contract.

As I've discussed previously, Salah is a man of few words and tends to do his talking on the pitch. But this season, his proclamations to journalist microphones have been a nearly weekly occurrence.

Salah's blunt answers embarrass the Liverpool hierarchy whenever he is asked about progress on a new contract without fail.

It started after a resounding 0-3 win at Old Trafford, in which the Egyptian scored all three goals.

"I had a good summer and had a long time to myself to try to stay positive because as you know it's my last year at the club," he said rather ominously.

"I just want to enjoy it and I don't want to think about it. I feel like I'm free to play football, and then we'll see what happens next year."

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"Coming into the game, I said it could be the last time [I play here with Liverpool].

"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.

"So far, we don't know with which club, but so far yeah my last game here with Liverpool. It's not up to me but nobody talk to me about a contract with the club. We'll see."

For a bonafide Liverpool legend, these were not good sounds to make.

However, the positive side for the Anfield outfit is that the question marks over his future have little impact on his ability to produce on the field.

Salah's scintillating form has continued throughout the season; if anything, he's been improving.

The trouble is, after his many starring displays, the Egyptian has continually told the press there has been little to no progress on his contract.

This is not the classic 'non-commital' soccer player answer where they talk about 'no being involved' or 'leaving the negotiations to others' each time Salah has been specific.

Take his response after the 2-3 win over Bournemouth.

"Well, we are almost in December, and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club," the 32-year-old said. "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."

For Liverpool fans seeking reassurance, the details offered up in his latest postgame comments after West Ham United was destroyed 0-5 demonstrated progress.

"No, we are far away from that [contract] and I don't want to put anything in the media," he told journalists.

"The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that.

"I will do my best for the team to win the trophy. There is a few other teams catching up with us and we need to stay focused and humble and go again."

The Beginning Of The End

From January 1st, Salah joins Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk in being able to sign pre-contractual agreements with foreign clubs.

However, Liverpool coach Arne Slot appeared relaxed when asked about the situation.

"I think I have a lot of control over what they do," Slot said after his side routed West Ham United.

"If they're on a training pitch, if they're in a meeting with me... but talking about the private lives, I don't have control about them.

"I have control to a certain extent over them, from what I expect from them on the pitch, and I'm really pleased to see what Virgil brings, what Trent brings and what Mo (Salah) brings."

After expressing anger earlier in the season with Salah over his repeated postgame contract comments, former Liverpool defender turned pundit Jamie Carragher appears also to have gained confidence that a deal will be done.

"It's nothing new now, we're probably used to that now a little bit with Salah coming out a couple of times over the last few months about his contract situation," Carragher said.

"I was unhappy with that at the end of the Southampton game, but as I said, it's normal because he's getting interviewed a lot because he's getting man of the match a lot for Liverpool.

"I'm at the stage now with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, I'm not too bothered really what they say about the situation. I do expect it to get sorted on both counts, maybe I'm being too optimistic.

"I can't see a situation where Mo Salah is not starting next season at Liverpool. I can't believe Mo Salah or the club would allow that to happen."

Liverpool fans will certainly be hoping that turns out to be the case.