LIVERPOOL, England — Mohamed Salah is evidently making a memorable mark in what could potentially be his last season with Liverpool. The Egyptian forward netted his 50th European goal for the club while also adding his 22nd goal across all competitions this season, playing a crucial role in securing a 2-1 victory against Lille on Tuesday, which ensured Arne Slot’s side advanced to the Champions League round of 16.
“Hopefully (it’s) not the last one,” he remarked, as there are growing speculations surrounding his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season. Salah’s future at the club remains uncertain as he has hinted that this could indeed be his final chapter with the Merseyside team. Despite excelling on the field, leading the standings in both the Champions League and the Premier League, Salah has just a few months left before he becomes a free agent.
Salah, who initially signed a three-year deal in 2022, has had the freedom to negotiate with clubs outside of England since January 1. He expressed a desire to continue his journey with Liverpool but has recently aired his frustrations through various media outlets regarding the slow progress on contract negotiations. Earlier this month, he stated that there was still much distance to cover to reach an agreement.
When questioned about his aspirations to stay long enough to achieve another 50 goals for the club after his historic landmark shot against Lille, he replied, “I’m not sure about that, but I will give it my best.”
The exact reason behind the contract stalemate remains unclear. At 32 years old, this could represent Salah’s final significant contract, and the extent of financial demands he might have to remain at Anfield is unknown. Since his arrival from Roma in 2017, he has solidified his status as a club icon, collecting a full repertoire of trophies, including the Champions League and the Premier League.
Long-term contracts for players in their 30s carry inherent risks, though actual indications of Salah’s skill diminishing are absent. He has been a key element in Liverpool’s performance this season and currently leads the scoring charts in the Premier League, outperforming Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
With his goal against Lille, he also made history by becoming the first Liverpool player to achieve 50 goals in European competitions.
What does Arne Slot, the Liverpool manager, say about Salah? It seems he has been consistently addressing inquiries related to the future of his star player. Following Salah’s impressive effort against Lille, Slot expressed deep admiration for his striker’s contributions to the club.
“Special, I think is the word that describes Mo’s performance at this club the best — or maybe there are even better words to use, but he’s been outstanding for this club for so many years,” Slot noted.
Salah’s options, should he choose to leave, are abundant, especially after being linked with potential moves to Saudi Arabia in recent years. As he approaches free agency, he would likely attract considerable interest from some of the largest clubs in Europe.
Salah isn’t the only Liverpool player facing contract uncertainties. Team captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also find themselves in the final months of their current deals, adding to the speculation surrounding the club’s roster moving into the next season.
