Mohamed Salah put an end to months of speculation surrounding his future by signing a new two-year contract with Premier League leaders Liverpool on Friday.
The 32-year-old Egyptian forward has been a key figure for the Reds, scoring 243 goals in 394 appearances since joining from Roma in 2017. He now ranks as the club’s third-highest all-time scorer, cementing his legacy at Anfield.
Salah’s performances have played a crucial role in Liverpool’s pursuit of a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title this season.
“I’m very excited,” Salah said in a club statement. “We have a great team now. We had a great team before, but I signed because I believe we have the chance to win more trophies. I’ve had my best years here. It’s been eight years, and hopefully, it will be 10.”
With 27 goals and 17 assists in the Premier League, Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool’s 11-point lead at the top of the table, with just seven games remaining in Arne Slot’s first season as manager.
Slot expressed his satisfaction with the extension, saying, “He has proven his value to the club and the team year after year. Just like our fans and his teammates, we are thrilled he has extended for two more years. We hope he can continue to show his importance, starting with Sunday’s match against West Ham.”
Salah’s time at Liverpool has been nothing short of remarkable. He helped the club secure a Champions League title in 2019 and end a 30-year wait for a league title in the 2019/20 season. Along with two FA Cups, two League Cups, a Club World Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup, Salah has etched his name as one of the Premier League’s greatest players.
Saudi interest
A two-time Player of the Year and a regular contender for the individual awards, Salah is poised to claim both honors for a third time this year. His decision to sign a new contract with Liverpool comes at a pivotal moment for both him and the club, as they navigate their toughest patch of the season.
Liverpool has endured a difficult run, losing three of their last four matches across all competitions, including a Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, a League Cup defeat to Newcastle, and the end of a 26-match unbeaten Premier League streak at Fulham. Salah himself has gone six games without scoring, with his only goal during this stretch coming from the penalty spot against relegated Southampton.
Despite these challenges, Salah’s contract extension offers a welcome boost for the club. It also provides some stability amid ongoing contract negotiations for three of Liverpool’s star players. Captain Virgil van Dijk and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold are also set to be out of contract at the end of the season, with van Dijk noting that “progress” has been made on his extension. However, reports suggest that Alexander-Arnold could be on the verge of a free transfer to Real Madrid.
Salah’s previous comments had fueled speculation about his future, especially after expressing frustration at the pace of contract talks. At one point, he admitted that he felt “probably more out than in,” sparking rumors of a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League. However, with his new deal, Salah has committed his future to Liverpool, ending those speculations.
This new contract ensures that Salah will remain on Merseyside for at least two more years, giving him the opportunity to continue breaking records and further solidifying his place in the club’s history. He currently sits joint-fifth on the Premier League’s all-time goal-scoring list with 184 goals, just 103 behind Ian Rush’s club record of 346 goals.
AFP
