Mohamed Salah questions Liverpool’s future before the confrontation with Real Madrid: “I’m probably more outside than inside”

Mohamed Salah has cast doubt on his future at Liverpool after admitting he is “probably more out than in” regarding a contract extension at Anfield. The Egypt international’s current contract expires at the end of this season and his future has been the subject of speculation for some time. Salah has 223 goals in 367 appearances for the Reds since arriving from AS Roma in 2017 and would be allowed to sign elsewhere with pre-contract conditions from January 1. The 32-year-old scored twice in a 3-2 win over Southampton over the weekend to extend Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid ( you can watch the game exclusively on Paramount+).

We analyze the situation.

What did Salah say?

“It’s almost December and I still haven’t received any offer to stay at the club,” Salah told the media after the away win over the Saints. “I’m probably more out than in. You know I’ve been in the club for many years, there is no club like this. But in the end it’s not in my hands. As I said before, it’s December and I haven’t received anything about my future yet. I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or in the hands of the fans.

“Of course yes,” added Salah about his disappointment at the current situation regarding contract negotiations. “I’m not going to retire anytime soon, so I’m just playing, concentrating on the season and trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed, but we’ll see.”

How is it performing?

Salah has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 18 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions so far this season; that’s a goal involved almost every hour of play (65 minutes, to be precise). At this current rate, Salah could produce his best campaign ever with 44 goals and 14 assists in 2017-18, the goal to beat, which was a goal participation rate just over every 70 minutes. The Egyptian is only the third Reds player in history to score 100 goals away from Anfield, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. Salah, who will turn 33 next summer, has scored in five consecutive EPL games, including key goals against Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa.

“I’m very professional. Everyone can see my work ethic,” Salah said of his form. “I’m just trying to enjoy my football and I’ll play at the highest level for as long as possible. I’m doing the best I can because this is who I am and I’m trying to give everything for myself and for the club. “Look what happens next. I’m just playing my game, trying to relax and just play. Now the entire team has chemistry with the new coach. “Hopefully we keep winning and win something in the end.”

Why is it taking so long?

Talks between Liverpool and Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas are believed to be continuing despite the current situation. Sporting director Richard Hughes knew that this situation, as well as that of captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, were on the horizon for next summer. Salah, given his age and status, as well as having the most lucrative contract, was always going to be a difficult decision to evaluate and therefore it should not come as a total surprise that the Reds did not move immediately given the arrival of Arne Slot as Jurgen. Klopp’s replacement at Anfield.

Why does this matter?

Salah rarely speaks to the English press and has made very few appearances in front of journalists during the more than seven years he has been on Merseyside. The former Chelsea player clearly waited for an opportunity like this to present itself and was therefore not wrong to clearly express his current feelings, but also his desire for an agreement to be reached in the coming weeks. Waiting until after the start of 2025 could be too late and Salah is likely to be tempted by offers from other clubs from January.

What could happen?

Although he is 32, Salah has regularly been linked with a major cash move to the Saudi Pro League and Liverpool rejected a nearly $190 million offer from Ittihad Club back in 2023. The player himself has declined to comment. on similar speculation at the moment. : “I don’t want to talk about that. Now I’m focused on the team,” he said, although Salah is in favor of remaining in European football while maintaining his current level of performance.