Mohamed Salah says he is still 'far away' from agreeing new Liverpool contract after West Ham thrashing
Mohamed Salah to Sky Sports on talks over a new Liverpool contract: "I don't want to put something in the media and people start saying stuff, but nothing really has moved on."
Sunday 29 December 2024 20:52, UK
Mohamed Salah told Sky Sports he is still "far away" from agreeing a new contract with Liverpool after his player-of-the-match display in their 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.
Salah continued his outstanding campaign by scoring one goal and setting up two others at the London Stadium as Arne Slot's side moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Salah is now top among Premier League players for both goals and assists this season, with 17 and 13 respectively, but his future remains uncertain as he enters the final six months of his contract.
Asked if he was any closer to sharing a positive update on a new deal, Salah told Sky Sports: "We are far away from that.
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"I don't want to put something in the media and people start saying stuff, but nothing really has moved on.
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"Now I am focused on the team and hopefully we win the Premier League."
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk's contracts are also set to expire in the summer but Salah's stunning performances this season ensure he is dominating the headlines.
Sunday's game was the eighth this season in which he has both scored and assisted, which is already the most by any player in a single Premier League campaign.
He has also reached 30 goal involvements in only 18 Premier League games - the fewest by any player in the history of the competition.
His total of 52 goal involvements in all competitions in 2024 is the highest by any player in Europe's major leagues.
"I am just trying to enjoy the game," he added when asked about his continued improvement.
"I was a bit disappointed with some of the shots I missed today but I came here for the result. I am always hungry for more. Hopefully next time I will score more but the most important is that the team won.
"The only thing in my mind is that I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of it. I will do my best to win the trophy.
"We are in the right direction but there are other teams trying to catch up with us. We just need to stay humble and go again."
Redknapp: Liverpool might have to give him what he wants
Jamie Redknapp understands Liverpool's hesitance to offer Salah a long-term contract aged 32 but says his incredible form might force the club's hand.
"I understand Liverpool's position," said the Sky Sports pundit. "He's 33 in June so how long do they give him? Right now, he looks like he could play for the next four years, but you just don't know.
"Some players reach the peak and then start to drop off - you think of two players who signed big contracts in [Mesut] Ozil and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang.
"But I don't see that with these three players. They're so hungry, so effective, so good at what they do and it's playing into Liverpool's hands.
"I think Salah will end up signing a contract. They'll have to find some middle ground on what they want because he will want the top money, but Liverpool will be nervous about his age and not giving him too long of a deal.
"But because he's playing so well, he's almost forced that issue for Liverpool to have to give him what he wants.
"It's the same with Virgil. He's such a Rolls Royce, I can see him playing another three years at this level. Imagine letting him go - every club would give him whatever he wanted.
"Trent is in a different situation because of his age. But those two [Salah and Van Dijk] are at a different stage. They're making it so perfect for Liverpool in terms of how they are playing, but making it hard in the contract situation."
Best in the world? You can't argue, says Slot
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said Salah is the best player in the world right now, telling Sky Sports: "If you look at his numbers, you can't argue [with] that.
"There are different players in different leagues who have a lot of quality. But Mo is definitely up there at the moment.
"He could have scored more today, but I also liked his work rate for the team without the ball.
"He's in a very good place. You can't argue about that. And let's hope he can stay like this for a long time."
Analysis: Salah has POTS sewn up already
Sky Sports' Peter Smith at the London Stadium:
The Premier League is approaching the halfway mark but the player of the season prize looks like it is sewn up already. Cole Palmer has dazzled. Bukayo Saka has shone. But Mohamed Salah is in a league of his own.
Top of the goals chart. Top of the assists chart. More goal involvements than any player in Europe's top five leagues - an incredible 52 across all competitions in 2024.
He has scored and assisted in eight different Premier League games - and it's only December. The jaw-dropping stats go on.
And all this from a 32-year-old who is out of contract in the summer. Off-field matters have proved to be no distraction. Perhaps they have been a motivator for the Egyptian; a point to prove? Well he is certainly doing that.
He has proven himself to be the best player in the Premier League and Liverpool must surely give this brilliant player a new deal. He is driving them towards another Premier League title.
Salah's stunning season in stats
- Salah has now scored 20+ goals in all competitions in all eight of his seasons with Liverpool. Among all Premier League players in history, only Alan Shearer (10) and Harry Kane (nine) have had more 20+ goal campaigns.
- Salah has been involved in 30 goals in just 18 Premier League games this season (17 goals, 13 assists), the fewest appearances any player has needed to reach 30 goal involvements in a single campaign in the competition.
- Salah has both scored and assisted in eight different Premier League games for Liverpool this season, already the most any player has done so in a single campaign in the competition.
- With another goal and two assists today, Salah has now been involved in 52 goals in all competitions in 2024 (29 goals, 23 assists), which is more than any other player in Europe's big five leagues.
