Mo Salah ‘dropped hint’ in suggestion contract talks with Liverpool are underway | Football | Sport

Alan Shearer believes talks between Mohamed Salah and Liverpool over a new contract have begun. The Newcastle icon interpreted Salah’s explosive comments after the Reds’ clash with Southampton on Sunday as indicative of ongoing negotiations, even though the two sides are still far from reaching an agreement.

Salah, whose contract expires at the end of the season, told reporters that he had not been offered a new contract after his side’s 3-2 win over the Saints. However, speak HonestlyShearer, 54, said he thought his choice of words suggested conversations were already underway.

“There is no doubt that Mo Salah was forced to say what he said this weekend by his agent in an attempt to put pressure on the football club,” Shearer said. “It was noticeable that he said he ‘didn’t get a contract’. He didn’t say there were no talks going on. Those are two separate things, I think.”

Shearer continued: “He looked after himself and his agent told him to do that, there’s no doubt about that because he very rarely stops in the media area after games. I had no problem with what Mo did. When clubs want to get rid of you, they get rid of you and have no empathy or sympathy for you whatsoever, so he took care of his situation.”

Despite a warm reception from the Anfield crowd during LiverpoolFollowing Wednesday night’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid, Salah’s comments have sparked significant backlash, particularly from Reds icon Jamie Carragher. The ex-defender branded him ‘selfish’ for airing his grievances publicly, especially at such a crucial time in the campaign, with crucial games against Madrid and Manchester city menacing.

Nevertheless, Shearer came to Salah’s defense, claiming the star has the right to “take care of himself” while acknowledging that both the player and the club have the right to feel aggrieved. “I know Liverpool go for a title, but he also has to take care of himself. And if the club has to look after itself, they will. It works both ways,” he said.

“He is a Premier League great, there is no doubt about that. Whatever happens to him, whether he stays or goes, he will be seen as an icon of the Premier League. The number of times he has saved Liverpool the way he has weekend again.” If you have him in your team you always have a chance.”

Salah reportedly earns a wage of £350,000 a week on Merseyside, making him one of the highest-earning footballers in the world. While the details of his contract demands remain secret, this is believed to be the case Liverpool reluctant to offer an equally lucrative multi-year deal to someone who turns 33 before the next season starts.

But despite his age, the first Chelsea forward shows no signs of slowing down. He scored ten goals in twelve games Premier League matches this season, help Arne Slot‘s team into an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

Salah is not the only Liverpool star to see his contract expire. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are in the same boat, with the former confirming extension talks but the latter closely linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid next summer.

It remains to be seen whether the uncertainty surrounding the future of these three players will have any consequences Liverpool‘s increasingly promising title bid. However, currently it doesn’t seem to be doing any damage. Next up is a top of the table showdown with Pep Guardiola‘s City, who have lost five of their last six games in all competitions.

A win would give the Reds an 11-point lead over the reigning champions, and Slot’s side will be confident of achieving just that given their strong record against City at Anfield. Since 2016, Liverpool have lost only once at home to City in a series of eleven games. Fellow title rivals Arsenal will take on West Ham on Saturday evening.