Former Liverpool stars John Barnes and Florent Sinama Pongolle are in agreement that the Reds will manage without Mohamed Salah, should the forward refuse to commit to a new contract and depart Anfield.
Salah has enjoyed yet another stellar season with Jurgen Klopp 's side having struck 30 goals and registered a further 16 assists across 48 appearances for Liverpool this season. The Egyptian has been instrumental in the Reds' quadruple charge this campaign, which may well turn out to be one of - if not - his last at Anfield.
The 29-year-old's future remains shrouded in uncertainty as he continues to refrain from committing his future to Liverpool by penning a new deal at the club. Salah's current contract expires in the summer of 2023, leading many to fear how the Reds might manage in his absence, but not everyone is concerned by the threat of the winger's potential departure.
Speaking exclusively to BonusCodeBets, former Liverpool and England star Barnes believes his old side will "move on" should Salah opt against signing an extension to keep him at the club beyond next summer. Discussing the futures of both the striker and his manager Klopp, Barnes revealed: “Jurgen Klopp’s new contract and Mo Salah’s potential contract renewal aren’t mutually exclusive. Liverpool will want both Klopp and Salah to stay and it’s not a decision of one over the other.
“Klopp has signed for four more years but it doesn’t mean anything if they finish mid-table next year, he probably won’t be there. Managers’ situations are different to players’ situations. Hopefully Salah or Liverpool will compromise and find an agreement, and if they don’t, we’ll move on, and Liverpool will still be there.
“They’ll have been talking to Salah about a new contract from the start of the season, Klopp committing his future will have nothing to do with it. These talks will continue for a long period of time.
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"It’s easier to tie managers down as they’re not being touted to go to other clubs, unlike players. Salah will have more options than Klopp if he decides he wants to go somewhere else.”
Barnes isn't the only one who feels Liverpool will manage even if the club's prized asset is to seal an Anfield exit. Former Reds forward Sinama Pongolle suggested his old side are well-equipped to contend with Salah's potential departure, as he heaped praise on the performances of Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz in particular this season.
"Sadio Mane, for me, has been Liverpool's player of the season," the French forward admitted, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at the launch of their 5-A-Side Bet on the FA Cup Final. "Luis Diaz has had a fantastic start to his Liverpool career; what a player... he's a machine! I love his spirit, I love his mentality, but it's hard to say he's been their player of the season.
"I would say that title has to go to Sadio Mane. He's had such an impact this year, especially when he's been used in a more central role. He won the Africa Cup of Nations for his country for the first time in their career, but at club level he's done an incredible job across a number of different positions his manager has requested.
"He's scored in some important games - I just think he's had more of an impact than, say, Mo Salah - who had also been brilliant, to his credit."
Salah previously expressed it is his intention to remain with Liverpool, insisting his reluctance to commit to fresh terms isn't due to money amid reported wage demands of £400,000-per-week. The Egyptian has remained somewhat coy on his future in recent months, but cryptically confessed to FourFourTwo last month that "the fans know what I want".
