Pressing Issues

Arguably the Premier League’s greatest ever winger, and indisputably one of the world’s elite for the last 7 years, Mohammed Salah cannot be too highly praised for his performances and achievements in a Liverpool shirt.

Yet the 32-year-old is rarely discussed in such a manner. He wasn’t on this year’s Balon D’Or shortlist, and Liverpool bosses are for some puzzling reason yet to offer him a new contract.

The question can be raised then – why isn’t he frequently discussed or regarded as one of the all-time greats? And better yet, why on earth are Liverpool looking like letting his contract run down?

FSG’s Reservations

Salah’s inarguable quality would probably be enough for most club owners to throw the kitchen sink towards a new contract, but Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have historically been very measured in their approach to contract discussions.

Looking back to the 2022, the last time there was speculation around Salah’s contract, negotiations went on for a while, before Salah was offered the most highly paid contract in the club’s history.

His last contract pushed FSG’s ‘sustainable wage structure’ to the limit – but did reportedly adhere to it.

Considering the winger could be signing one of the last contracts of his football career, it isn’t unreasonable to think that Salah will ask for a handsome pay check, and probably a longer time period than FSG would be willing to give him.

As a result, the Egyptian may struggle negotiating terms even if an offer did come his way. Should this become the case, it will put both the club and Salah himself in an awkward position.

A Flying Start

Despite discussion’s over the Egyptian’s age and longevity, Salah is enjoying his most productive start to a Premier League season ever: with 10 goals and 6 assists in 12 games. This should put to bed any suggestions that he is past his best.

Salah looks as important as ever to Liverpool’s forward line – scoring 2 and single-handedly changing the outcome of the Reds’ visit to Southampton on Sunday.

Boss Arne Slot has heralded “special” Salah’s run and finish to equalise 25 minutes from full-time.

Slot’s side are clearly reliant on their talisman to turn up in big moments – and it only adds to fans’ frustration that Salah is yet to be offered a new deal.

Salah: “I’m Not Going To Retire Soon”

It is clear that Salah himself doesn’t believe his quality will decline anytime soon. And given the trend of players continuing until their late 30s over the last few years, there is no indication that we will see a fast drop off.

Salah has never been reliant on pace. Of course, it is part of what has made him so dangerous to opposition defences, but his footballing intelligence: the ability to find a special pass, special finish or go on a special run all show no signs of relenting.

Despite accepting “I’m playing my last season” when talking to Sky Sports in September, Salah is holding out hope that a new deal will be presented his way soon.

For fans of both Liverpool and the Premier League, it would be disappointing to see one of the world’s elite leave the league after repeatedly demonstrating his ability to still compete at the very top.

One Of The All-Time Greats

Should Salah leave Liverpool come the end of the season, his legacy will be almost immeasurable. Dubbed ‘the Egyptian king’ by Liverpool fans and having become synonymous with the club’s recent success, his departure would be emotional and desperately upsetting for many Reds.

But with Salah “more out than in”, it is a genuine possibility that we are witnessing the last Premier League season from one of its all-time greats. Debate will be rife over whether he fits into ‘the all-time Premier League XI’ – but this is the calibre of player the league would be losing.

No one yet knows whether any contract discussions will take place between Salah and FSG, and as a result, it is advisable that you watch and enjoy Salah as much as possible between now and the end of the season. Because once he goes, the Premier League loses one of its crowning jewels.m