Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has told Mohamed Salah what he needs to do to earn a new contract after dropping a hint over his future at Anfield.
The 32-year-old has been in sparkling form for the Reds this season, bagging an incredible 30 goals and supplying 20 assists for his team-mates in all competitions.
Salah’s superb performance in the 2-0 win over Manchester City, where he scored the opener and set up Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal, has helped put the Merseyside outfit on course for their second Premier League title after moving 11 points clear.
Slot was asked if the Egyptian star should be the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or as he has produced statistics on a similar level to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo where they were at the peak of their careers. But the Dutchman has shut down such comparisons – as well as providing a hint about whether he will sign a new contract.
“It’s so difficult to compare players with each other. It’s not fair to anyone. Mo has his own career and has been outstanding,” Slot said in his press conference on Tuesday.
“Messi and Ronaldo both didn’t play the Premier League but I don’t want to bring them down because these two players are incredible but that makes the comparison even more difficult.
“Mo has had some outstanding seasons here at Liverpool. We hope he can continue this for a longer period of time but to do that he first has to extend his contract of course! And you guys don’t ask me about it anymore so that’s a positive.”
Despite his indispensible status at Anfield, Salah will be free to leave the club in four months’ time as his contract – reportedly worth £350,000 a week – expires in June.
The veteran winger has made no secret about his desire to extend his deal, but he has indicated that there have been no offers from the club to prolong his eight-year stay on Merseyside.
Slot joked that Liverpool are in a lose-lose situation because Salah’s form may require them to dig further into their pockets, while a dip in form may convince them to let him leave on a free transfer.
“You can say the better he does the more expensive he might become, and if he would do worse we could have second thoughts on extending his contract!” he added.
“For everyone it’s the best that he brings in the performances he does now. Maybe only for the one that has to pay him it’s not the best, for everyone else it’s the best.
“If you want to play at this club, you need to be at his level. Otherwise probably you’re almost useless because we only need players who are at the top of their game. Because this is one of the best or the best club in the world to play for.
“He needs to have these performances for him to play here and hopefully to extend here!”
