Mohamed Salah Expresses “Disappointment” Over Absence of New Liverpool Contract Offer

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has expressed his “disappointment” regarding the club’s failure to present him with a new contract, indicating that his departure appears more probable than his retention. Salah originally joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017. The 32-year-old, who leads Liverpool in scoring this season with 12 goals across all competitions, will see his current contract expire at the conclusion of the season. Salah contributed two goals, including the decisive penalty, to Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Southampton on Sunday, a result that extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points. Following the match at St Mary’s, the Egypt international, who arrived at the Reds from Roma in 2017, informed reporters, external: “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club.” He added: “I’m probably more out than in.” When questioned about his disappointment regarding the absence of an offer, Salah responded: “Of course, yeah.” He further stated: “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.” Liverpool has refrained from making any public comments concerning Salah’s statements. However, a club source informed BBC Sport that discussions between Liverpool and Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, are continuing and have been constructive. In the Premier League this season, only Manchester City forward Erling Halaand has surpassed Salah’s goal tally, with the Egyptian having scored 10 times in the top division. Data from Opta indicates that Salah’s contributions in goals and assists have accounted for 17 points for Liverpool this season, a higher total than any other player in the league. Salah previously signed a three-year contract extension with the club in 2022, a deal that is scheduled to conclude this summer. Salah commented: “You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this.” He added: “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.” Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and club captain Virgil van Dijk also have contracts expiring concurrently with Salah’s. In September 2023, Liverpool declined a £150m bid from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, and several sources have informed BBC Sport that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) continues to be interested in securing Salah for the Saudi Arabia Pro League. After a 3-0 victory against Manchester United in September, Salah stated that he approached the match as though it were the “last time” he would compete at Old Trafford. This month, following his winning goal in a 2-1 triumph over Brighton that propelled Liverpool to the top of the table, Salah posted on X: “No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like.” According to Daniel Austin of BBC Sport, Mohamed Salah intended to convey a specific message outside St Mary’s Stadium. Reporters typically gather near the team coach to engage with players before their departure; at Liverpool, articulate native English speakers such as Andy Robertson are usually the ones to stop. It is highly unusual for Salah to speak with journalists before boarding the coach, but he did so on this occasion, fully aware of the questions he would face. Salah’s remarks serve as his method of ensuring public awareness of his dissatisfaction with Liverpool’s perceived lack of urgency in addressing his contract situation. His determined start to the season, excellent physical condition, and apparent desire to compel Liverpool’s action collectively indicate his belief that he has a significant period remaining at the elite level of European football. The available evidence strongly supports this view. This raises the question of why Liverpool appears to be delaying. One possibility is that Liverpool’s highly regarded data analysis team may be apprehensive that Salah’s performance levels could decline should he sign another three-year extension, which would extend his tenure until he is 36 years old. Alternatively, Liverpool might be postponing negotiations, aware that reaching an agreement with Salah could establish a benchmark for the salary demands of Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold in their upcoming contract discussions. Regardless of the underlying reasons, the public ambiguity surrounding the future of a player who is still considered among the world’s elite and holds a prominent place among Liverpool’s legendary figures, risks undermining a season that has commenced exceptionally well under the management of new boss Arne Slot.