Manager Jurgen Klopp has said he would like to extend Mo Salah’s contract with Liverpool, hailing the Egyptian as “the greatest striker LFC has had in the modern era”.
Salah has yet to agree terms on a new contract, but there is hope for a quick breakthrough with his agent Ramy Abbas Issa on Merseyside earlier this month.
But until an announcement is made, there will remain a very real fear that the number 11 will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
That would certainly be premature. Salah has undoubtedly been in top form this season, scoring 21 goals in 28 games and now cementing his place as Liverpool’s fourth-highest scorer in their history.
The majority of his 232 goals at the club came under manager Klopp, who left Anfield in the summer to formally begin his role as Red Bull’s global head of football.
In his first press conference since taking over on Tuesday, the legendary former Liverpool manager was asked about his thoughts on Salah’s future.
“I hope he stays,” was Klopp’s response.
“He’s the biggest striker that LFC has had in the modern era. Obviously they’ve had other good strikers, really good strikers.
“But a great player, a great human being, an outstanding athlete, a great ambassador (for Egypt), he’s really great in every category.
“So I hope he stays at Liverpool.”
Understandably, Klopp’s opinion is unlikely to weigh heavily in either Liverpool or Salah deciding whether to accept the other’s position in contract negotiations.
However, it echoes the general feeling outside the club that allowing the 32-year-old to leave would be a grave mistake.
There was a perception that Klopp and Salah had let things get ugly following their disagreement on the touchline against West Ham, but that is clearly not the case.
Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, the winger said:
“Honestly, seriously, I promise you I’ve sent more messages in the last three months than I have in the last seven years.”
Unsurprisingly, no player has scored more goals (211) or provided more assists (88) than Salah throughout Klopp’s managerial career. Salah has played the most minutes on the pitch as a manager (28,267).
