Mohamed Salah Arne Slot Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Mohamed Salah Arne Slot Liverpool 2024-25
Mohamed Salah is a man with a plan as evidenced by his frequent declarations to the media that it will be his last season with Liverpool.
The 32-year-old is among THREE high-profile Reds who see their contracts expire in 2025. While Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold have by and large kept their counsel, Salah has been speaking freely about his situation with the implicit threat that he was going.
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No Liverpool fan wants Salah to leave; they are not saddled with a highly-paid, underperforming aging player. Far from it. They have on their books perhaps the best player in the world today. And to use that trite phrase, only because it’s true, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Right now Salah’s stock could not be higher and he knows it.
Mo Salah Liverpool
© IMAGO - Mo Salah Liverpool
Salah's media games
His form on the pitch under Arne Slot - who appears to have found another gear in the Egyptian - has been supreme. His consistency is relentless; barely a game goes by without another goal or assist.
And all season long, Mo has been sending messages.
Following his goal and two assists against Manchester United at the start of September he made it known that as things stood he would be leaving at the end of the season. It was a reminder to the fans - and to the club - that if you want any more of what he’s offering then a new contract best be in the post.
And he did it again post-Brighton, hinting at an emotional Anfield farewell to come. Recently, after the games against Southampton and Manchester City, he again made reference to the fact that this would be his eighth and very last campaign in red.
The post-Southampton comments were notable because Salah never usually stops to talk to the media after matches. Here he sought out the reporters in order to say that he was more out than in.
Liverpool fans - and media pundits in general - spoke about little else in the days after and the pressure inside Liverpool must have been immense.
Salah piles pressure on Liverpool
And then last week came the news that Salah would be prepared to accept an extension of just a single year. While it had been discussed that he was holding out for a three-year deal, worth £350,000 per week, here was an offer that the Reds could seemingly not refuse.
Around £20m for the best player in the world? Go on then.
David Ornstein claims that an offer has finally been sent Salah’s way, albeit with the caveat that it brings the situation no closer to resolution. There is still a long way to go in negotiations you would imagine but the first part of Salah’s plan appears to have worked.
We can infer from how it’s played out from his end that a) Salah wants to stay and b) hasn’t received any attractive offers from Saudi Arabia, Paris Saint-Germain or otherwise.
By keeping his form high - and the club and fans on alert through the media - Salah ensured that FSG had to do SOMETHING that suggested they wanted to keep him.
In a sense he’s pressured them into acting - through his words and deeds - and we now have what could be a breakthrough. And from the club's perspective, the latest events ensure that Salah WON’T be able to use the ‘I’ve not been offered a contract’ line anymore.
The offer is supposedly in. What happens next is anyone’s guess.
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