Liverpool will only be able to offer Mohamed Salah a new Liverpool contract on reasonable terms, says John Barnes.
The Egyptian's two goals against Leeds United at Anfield on Wednesday evening moved Salah up to ninth position in The Reds' all time leading goal scorers list.
But with less than 18 months remaining on his current contract and every elite club across Europe waiting in the wings for his services, the Kop favourite is in a strong bargaining position to secure himself a new mega-deal.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand already proved wrong as Ian Wright laughed at for Liverpool title claim
READ MORE: Liverpool announce new commercial director as £217m revenue set to grow
Liverpool are desperate to hang onto their prize asset, but Liverpool legend Barnes insists that the club cannot be held to ransom over a new deal.
Speaking to BonusCodeBets, he said: “If Mohamed Salah wants a 10-year contract, that takes him up until he’s 40 years old and he want’s £300,000 a week, should Liverpool really accept that? Of course not.
“Liverpool cannot accept every single contractual demand; they are making the right decision [by not giving in]. They are simply looking at Salah’s age.
"They love Mo, and they want him to stay, but there must be a compromise on both sides. If he was 28 and wanted a five-year contract, then fair enough.
“The days of just accepting a player’s every contract demand are gone.”
*Other than Liverpool, what other clubs do you LOVE? Let us know by taking our latest survey:
Meanwhile, Barnes was full of praise for Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcântara, after his substitute appearance against Norwich City at Anfield on Saturday helped the Reds secure a come-from-behind 3-1 victory.
Barnes said: “Against Norwich, Liverpool were struggling until Thiago Alcantara came on the pitch. They were one-nil down, but they were in the game. This type of game is suited to Thiago.
“When you play against teams and dominate possession, they aren’t necessarily going to attack you and will defend deep.
"Liverpool’s best three midfielders, like Jordan Henderson and Fabinho who help protect the defence, but aren’t suited to that type of game.
"You need someone who will create, and Thiago is Liverpool’s best creative midfielder.
“It will be the same throughout the season, depending upon the game. For example, if Liverpool face Manchester City, then Jürgen Klopp may not start him, but Liverpool could dominate possession and need harder working players in midfield.
"Klopp will chop and change [the midfielders] as he does with the front three.”
