Arne Slot has reacted to Mohamed Salah’s announcement that he will be departing from Liverpool at the end of the current campaign.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot says decisions on Mohamed Salah’s future have not been made (Image: SKY SPORTS)
Mohamed Salah said that he is in his “last year at the club” following Liverpool’s crushing of Manchester United. Arne Slot has responded to this. On Sunday afternoon, the Reds thrashed their opponents 3-0 at Old Trafford, with Salah recording one goal and two assists.
The attacker, who turned 32 in June, appeared on Sky Sports’ live broadcast with Dave Jones, Roy Keane, and Daniel Sturridge after the game. He also declared during the interview that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current campaign.
The Egyptian’s current deal is set to expire in July of next year. Since coming from Roma in the summer of 2017, he has provided 213 goals and 90 assists. An extension has not yet been discussed.
“I had a nice summer and had a long time to myself to try to stay positive,” he said to Sky. I’m leaving the club this year, as you are aware.
I don’t want to think about it; I just want to enjoy it. I think I’m free to continue playing football, and we’ll see what happens the following season. I remarked before the game that this might be my last time playing here with Liverpool.
“As no one at the club has discussed contracts with me, I’m just going to play my final season and see what happens at the conclusion of the season. I don’t have the authority, but no one from the club has spoken to me. We’ll see.
When questioned about Salah’s remarks at his press conference following the game, Slot responded, “There are a lot of ifs.” He’s currently a member of our team, and I couldn’t be happier that he is.
“He’s a tremendously good player. We don’t discuss player contracts here, but I could go on for hours about how Mo performed today. Do you find that interesting? Like the first two games, he was impressive.
“If you talk about an individual you don’t do justice to all the other ones because I think today you saw a real good team performance.”
Following Salah’s interview, former Liverpool striker Sturridge stated, “I would be surprised [if Liverpool let him go].” Mo has accomplished almost everything he set out to do at the club, and I have never seen him seem happier.
“He seemed like he wanted to be at the club while he was speaking at the time. He’ll stick around if the club gives him what he wants. I sincerely hope he stays, as he’s been outstanding.”
After joining Sky, Reds great Jamie Carragher stated, “I believe Mo Salah is obsessed, like [Cristiano] Ronaldo, with records and longevity.” The majority of us believe that football is over for you after you turn 35.
“Given the way that boy takes care of himself, I believe he plans to play until he is at least in his late 30s or 40s.
“I don’t believe that next season will feature a Saudi scenario. He is too skilled. He represents one of the biggest teams in the world while competing in the top league in the globe.
“He’s up there with Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish as the best players to play for Liverpool, whether it’s in two seasons or another. Even though he doesn’t have as many medals as some others, he’s still arguably the best wide player in the Premier League.
“You fight to keep him, of course. It’s not as simple as shoving him money. What matters is what you’re doing going forward, not what you’ve done in the past. You can’t do what you used to do when you’re in your mid-30s, but he might be different.
Naturally, Liverpool wants to keep him and Virgil van Dijk, but the pay issue will most likely come up. Will they still be the same players in two or three years, thus are they still paid the same? That will be the topic of discussion.
“I would be very surprised if Salah isn’t playing for Liverpool next season because I think he’ll want to blitz every record in the club’s history.”
