Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool remains in the balance as the Egyptian heads into the final year of his contract at Anfield.
The 30-year-old wants to stay put with the Reds but has so far been unable to agree terms on a new deal, with his agent previously confirming he has no intention of agreeing to the offer that was put to him in December.
Reports over the weekend suggested Liverpool were growing resigned to the prospect of losing the Egypt international on a free transfer in 2023, with them unable to offer him anymore without breaking their wage structure and feeling they were unlikely to reach a compromise with Salah.
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However, the ECHO understands the winger’s contract situation remains unchanged with club insiders insisting they have no expectation regarding Salah’s future one way or the other as he enters the final months of his current deal.
The 30-year-old’s future has been the subject of vast speculation in recent months and club bosses have been impressed by how the Egyptian has conducted himself throughout such uncertainty. A model professional and colleague, it’s understood he hasn’t let his future affect him in any way with his demeanour around the club remaining exactly the same as before.
As a result, there are no concerns about his attitude changing during the final year of his contact, with Liverpool expecting to get the same level of conduct and commitment from Salah this season regardless of the outcome of future contract negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Reds are yet to open contact talks with Joe Gomez or Naby Keita, with discussions regarding new deals planned for once Liverpool report back for pre-season training on July 4.
Having concluded their incoming business for the summer with the arrival of Calvin Ramsay on Sunday, the Reds will now focus on outgoings in the weeks ahead before turning their attentions to contract renewals. And the ECHO understands resolving the futures of Salah, Gomez, Keita and other players without long-term contracts is the priority for sporting director Julian Ward once pre-season gets underway.
Liverpool would like to retain Gomez’s services but given his lack of game-time last season and with a World Cup berth potentially up for grabs, are aware it might be easier said than done to tie the defender down to a new contract. With his current deal set to expire in 2024, Reds bosses plan to speak to the 25-year-old once pre-season gets underway to find out his future plans before taking potential negotiations further.
The defender has been linked with a move to the likes of Aston Villa but should Gomez wish to move on, Liverpool expect him to attract interest from sides either in the Champions League or with ambitions to qualify for Europe’s elite tournament next season as they look to resolve his future one way or the other.
Elsewhere, the Reds still have a desire to keep Keita and offer him a new contract ahead of his current deal expiring in 2023. Like with Gomez, such talks won’t be initiated until the Liverpool squad reports back for pre-season.
