Liverpool are set to lose Mohamed Salah on a free transfer this summer as things stand, with the Egyptian giving repeated hints that this will be his final season at Anfield following eight years
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Updated 10:52, 21 Mar 2025
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah's contract debacle at Liverpool has still not yet been resolved
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah is having a sensational season for Liverpool but it could be the last we see of him in a Reds shirt after eight spectacular seasons at Anfield as he approaches the end of his contract. Salah has 32 goals in all competitions and his incredible displays look likely to help Liverpool deliver the title.
Liverpool fans are desperate for the Egyptian to stay at Anfield but he has repeatedly insisted he was "far away" from agreeing a new deal and has previously said it would be his final season for the club. And most recently he dropped the biggest hint yet that he would quit after revealing he wanted to be remembered as player who "gave it all to the fans and the city".
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He said: "I was here, I wasn't lazy, I just enjoyed my football and gave it all. I think that's what the city is about - they give you love and you have a connection with them because you give your all. I just want them to remember that I was here for eight years - and I gave it all.
"To be here for eight years is not something I take for granted. Playing at a top club like Liverpool, fighting for every trophy every year, is incredible. I feel like I’m in very good shape and trying to make sure that not only I improve but that the players around me are improving as well."
With just two months remaining before Salah becomes a free agent, Mirror Football has broken down the latest around Salah's contract debacle.
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Fowler fumes at "poor situation"
Liverpool have come under fire for their handling of Salah's contract, with many pundits baffled by how they have let a player of Salah's quality run down his contract, while Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also look likely to leave as free agents after failing to agree new deals.
And club legend Robbie Fowler has been left unimpressed by the situation, questioning why club officials couldn't have nailed them down to fresh terms earlier.
Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler has been left unimpressed with Liverpool's handling of Salah's contract situation
“When you’re looking at Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah these are three massively important players for Liverpool," he said. "I know Mo didn’t have a great game yesterday, they probably missed Trent but Virgil was probably the only Liverpool player who could hold his head high after yesterday. You want the three of them to sign.
“I think it is relatively poor from the club to let these great players get down to a few months left of their contract. What will be, will be. I look at the history of Liverpool Football Club and regardless of who is staying I think Liverpool have always been OK with the players that have come afterwards. No player is bigger than the football club, that is the case.”
Salah pictured in Saudi shirt
The biggest question around Salah's future is where he could go if he does decide to end his Liverpool stint. Saudi Arabia has been touted as the most likely destination for Salah due to the riches on offer and his obvious connections with football in the Arab world.
Turki Alalsheikh
Saudi sports chief Turki Alalsheikh has teased Salah joining Al-Hilal
Just a few months ago, those links to the Saudi Pro League only intensified after Turki Alalsheikh - the influential Saudi sports promoter who has been responsible for the rise of boxing in the country - posted a picture of Salah wearing an Al-Hilal shirt.
There have been some indications that Salah is reluctant to move to Saudi, where the quality in football is undoubtably lower and many would like to see the 32-year-old remain at the highest level for as long as possible.
If Salah did seal a transfer to Saudi, Al-Hilal would be the favourites as they seek a new marquee signing following the exit of Neymar, who played just seven times for the club amid an injury-hit spell.
The Saudi's desire for Salah to join their league is no secret, with the country's sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal revealing they are making movements to make the deal happen.
Tears after PSG loss
This was another telltale sign Salah's Liverpool career could be coming to an end. There's no doubt he would have loved to bow out with the Champions League and Premier League trophies in his hands before the team suffered a painful defeat to PSG.
Mohamed Salah was left in tears
Mohamed Salah was left in tears after PSG knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League
Would Salah have been so emotional if he knew he had another season to play in the Champions League with Liverpool? He's already won one European title with the club in 2019 but six years on you can see the hunger to experience that again.
Liverpool were largely outplayed by the Parisiens across both legs of the last-16 tie, with Salah nullified for the most part. Knowing it was likely his last Champions League outing for the club would have been difficult to take, especially in the circumstances.
He also looked emotional last Sunday when Liverpool were beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Newcastle. In a season that promised so much, he might be disappointed that it might yield only one piece of silverware.
Slot relaxed over future
One man who has been unflappable during Liverpool's contract situation - including surrounding the futures of Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold - is manager Arne Slot.
Speaking in January, the Dutchman made it clear he wanted Salah to extend his contract at Liverpool and said it was up to him to make his decision on his future. He was realistic on the current contract saga, admitting that there won't be a club on the planet that wouldn't want him in their team.
Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah
Arne Slot has been relaxed on Salah's future
"We want him to extend, of course," said Slot on Salah, whose contract is set to expire in the summer. "That is clear but I am not surprised that Saudi wants him… I would not be surprised if other countries wanted him as well.
"He is old and wise enough and has done so many smart things in his career he will make the right decision for himself and hopefully for us as well.
"I would be surprised if there was anyone around the world saying, "We don't want Mo Salah". He has been doing so well for so many years that everyone probably wants him.
"He has done so well without my advice for a long time so he can probably keep doing what is best for his career even without my advice."
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