Stewart Downing thinks Mohamed Salah will definitely sign a new contract with Liverpool.
Speaking to Goal, the former Liverpool winger said he thinks fans may have to be patient with Salah, but he isn’t going anywhere.
“It takes time. I know it feels like a big thing because he is out of contract next year, but think of the contract Salah is going to be looking for. He’s 29, turning 30, it’s probably his last big one, his last big commitment, so it’s bound to take time,” said Downing.
“For me, I just think ‘where does he go from here?’ He will have offers, but he’s not going to be joining a team as good as Liverpool.”
Downing thinks that Liverpool in their current form can offer the 29-year-old everything he is looking for.
“He wants to win things, he wants to play for a big club, a great manager, and get a nice, healthy contract, and for me Liverpool tick all those boxes. I think it would be very strange to see Salah leave this summer,” said the 37-year-old.
“If he wants to win things, big things, the best chance he’s got is here. Wherever he goes, he’ll get good money, but there’s more to it. Liverpool offer a player so much in terms of history, fanbase, and the quality of their team. And the Premier League is the best league in the world, so why would he want to leave? I think he’ll sign.”
Here’s hoping, Stu!
A delicate decision
It would be nice to have the same kind of confidence that Downing has about Salah signing a new contract.
So far, there haven’t been any positive updates at all. As things stand, it appears that Liverpool’s last offer to Salah was in December. That contract was reportedly rejected outright by Mo as he looks for a better financial package.
Downing is right to point out what Liverpool can offer Salah. Under Klopp, there isn’t a better place to play football in the world.
But if it comes down to money, then Liverpool simply can’t compete with some of their Champions League rivals.
That won’t change between now and the end of Salah’s current deal. Therefore, Mo has to weigh up where his priorities lie.
If he does decide that he wants to carry on at Liverpool, Mo will surely become one of The Reds’ best ever players. He arguably already is. Salah recently netted his 150th goal for Liverpool, after which Jurgen Klopp called him ‘outstanding’ via BBC Sport.
If he doesn’t, then it could tarnish the legacy that he has been building over the last five years.
Whatever happens from here, Salah has been one of the most influential players in Liverpool history. But how he will be remembered by the fans will hinge on the decisions he and the club make over the next year or so.
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