Mo Salah on Liverpool contract extension talks, future and transfer news: ‘I’m more out than in’

SOUTHAMPTON – Mohamed Salah has a big update on his future at Liverpool and it’s not exactly news Liverpool fans want to hear.

“I’m probably more out than in,” Salah said of his current situation, while admitting he was “disappointed” that Liverpool have yet to offer him a new contract, with his current deal expiring this summer.

For further context, it is rare for Salah to stop and speak to journalists. It is the third time he has done this since joining Liverpool more than seven years ago and the first time he has openly discussed his future in months.

On the pitch, Salah’s Liverpool are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League standings before hosting Manchester City on Sunday and have the small matter of a Champions League match against Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.

But Salah has now put the ball in Liverpool’s court regarding his future. And he’s in sensational form.

The Egyptian superstar scored twice late in the match against club Southampton on Sunday to erase a 2-1 deficit and secure a 3-2 comeback for Liverpool. Speaking to a handful of journalists after the match at St Mary’s, including Pro Soccer Talk, Salah was open and honest when asked about his future at Liverpool.

Salah says Liverpool have not yet offered him a new contract

“Well, it’s almost December and I haven’t received any offers to stay at the club yet. I’m probably more out than in,” Salah said, as he clearly wanted to get rid of that.

Salah admitted he was “disappointed” not to have been offered a new contract. He was then asked if he had explained to Liverpool why there was no new offer on the table.

“I’m not retiring soon so 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,” Salah said. .

Salah, who has been at Liverpool since 2017 and has won every trophy possible in that time, was asked if he wanted to stay.

“You know, I have been in the club for many years, there is no club like this,” Salah said. “But at the end of the day, it’s not in my hands. Like I said before, it’s December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future.”

Salah said he loves Liverpool fans but made no promises about committing his future to the club: “I love the fans. The fans love me. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. It’s not in my hands or in the hands of the fans. Let’s wait and see.” », added Salah.

Asked if he was disappointed that Liverpool had not entered into contract negotiations with him, Salah was clear: “Of course, yes.”

It’s clear that Salah is unhappy with the direction contract negotiations at Liverpool are taking.

Salah headlines trio of Liverpool stars out of contract – Will they all stay?

Salah says all this from a position of incredible strength.

He has scored 10 goals and made six assists in his first 12 Premier League games this season, leading Liverpool’s charge under new manager Arne Slot as they have won 10 of 12 games so far and are flying absolutely top of the rankings in both cases. the Premier League and the Champions League. Salah has been involved in 66.6 percent of Liverpool’s Premier League goals this season, the highest ratio for a player in a PL team this season.

But Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract this summer.

Has Salah’s superb form made his case for a new contract?

“I am very professional. Everyone can see my work ethic. I just try to enjoy my football and I will play at the highest level for as long as possible,” Salah said. “I’m doing my best because that’s who I am and I’m trying to give everything for myself and for the club. We’ll see what happens next.”

Top suitors for Salah if he leaves Liverpool

Salah said he “didn’t want to talk” about constant links with a move to Saudi Arabia when asked about it, and said he was entirely focused on Liverpool’s quest for trophies under Arne Slot this season. Al-Hilal has long been linked with a move for Salah, and his nervous laugh when asked if he was heading to the Saudi Pro League suggested that might not be on his mind. For now.

But Salah knows he will have no shortage of contract offers and, from January, he will be able to talk to non-English teams about signing a pre-contract deal as a free agent. Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​PSG, Premier League rivals Liverpool and many European giants will be scrambling to prepare their offers for Salah after these comments.

It will be exactly the same with Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold and if Liverpool want to keep all three, their wage structure will surely need to be stretched. Is this possible? Of course. But it seems unlikely that all three of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold will play for Liverpool next season.

Ahead of a big week, the fact that Salah is frustrated at not being offered a new contract is not the kind of news Liverpool fans wanted to hear.

Salah contract aside, to come: Real Madrid and Man City in a pivotal week

But Salah’s focus cannot be questioned and he was happy Liverpool found a way to win at Southampton to set up a massive week with games against Real Madrid and then struggling Manchester City.

“It’s an important victory. I’m happy that we managed to win the match because we were 2-1 down. The best thing is to win the match because the next match will be against City. I hope we continue to win,” Salah said. .

“It (the win at Southampton) is very important. Usually after the first international break we struggled against Forest and against Chelsea as well. We weren’t at our best but I’m glad we managed to win the match.”

Salah was asked if he was in the form of his life. He didn’t say no.

“I’m just playing my game. I’m trying to relax and just play,” Salah said. “The whole team now has chemistry with the new manager. I hope we continue to win and win something in the end.”

Salah is just a cool guy. But it’s clear he wants Liverpool to offer him a new contract. Soon.