S Poddar
Salah’s future at the club, though still a Liverpool star, remains uncertain, shrouded in uncertainty, as the Egypt winger is seen to be involved in a contract stand-off with the club. Having his current deal expire next summer, the Egyptian winger hinted at an exit following a thrilling Premier League victory. This had set off tongues and divided opinion between the fans and the pundits.
Former Liverpool strikier Michael Owen thinks fans are right to be angry. Asked if he thought the standoff was mainly about money, Owen told the Liverpool Post: “I don’t think it is. Of course, there’s a lot of money – obviously there is – but perhaps the real problem could be the length of time.” According to his information, Liverpool should be negotiating over ‘a number of years’ that Salah wants, rather than the salary.
“When you are young you want short contracts,” Owen said, outlining the changing needs of players across their careers. “You want to keep your stock high and have clubs chasing after you. But as you get older, stability and security come more into play.”
Despite turning 32 this year, Salah remains a vital cog in the Liverpool machine. His fitness and goal-scoring prowess are undeniable, having netted 12 times in 16 starts across all competitions this season. However, Owen cautions that Liverpool will undoubtedly be wary of committing to a player whose peak years might be behind him.
“He’s incredibly fit, but Father Time catches up with everyone eventually,” Owen added. “If he is asking for a five-year contract, the club would be right to have reservations about that.”
The coming weeks and months will determine the future of Salah. Will Liverpool and Salah be able to bridge their contract demands? Or will he move elsewhere, leaving Liverpool with a huge hole in the attack? Only time will tell how this story unfolds.
