Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has claimed his friend Mohamed Salah is not respected enough by the Anfield club and suggested that the Egypt star is more likely to leave the club than sign a new deal. Salah has been Arne Slot's top man as they chase a treble this season but his future on Merseyside remains in doubt. He is one of three big name players out of contract in the summer, alongside captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
In Salah's case the big issue is around the finance and duration of a new contract rather than a desire to leave. But with the mega rich Saudi Pro League already making their interest known in one of the game's biggest stars, Lovren reckons Liverpool should just meet his demands to keep him at the club - especially when he remains in prime physical condition. “We are still in touch. We talk every now and then, yes,” Lovren said. “I have to be careful what I say now, because I know a lot of things. Honestly, I don’t know the exact numbers, but whatever he’s asking for, I think he deserves it. It’s simple, this guy is doing his job on the pitch.
“Don’t look at his age, some will say he’ll be 33, but look at Ronaldo, he’s 40 and still playing. Mohamed Salah is still scoring goals, he’s in great physical and mental shape. He’s still playing for the national team, so what’s the problem? He’s seven or eight years younger [than Ronaldo]. So what’s the problem with Salah? Nobody can find an answer, that’s why I find it difficult.
“I can talk in more detail. Salah believes that there are things missing from the club side, and I hope they’ll be resolved soon. But the current reality is that he’s closer to leaving than staying. “Everyone wants him to stay, and I personally want him to stay. I called him one day and said: 'Mo, you have to think about yourself. Look at everything you've given this club and what you can still give.'.
“In the end, I came to the conclusion that the club doesn't respect him enough, or at least not as much as they think they deserve, but that's another side of the story, it's all about what goes on behind the scenes. “Everyone can agree when they look at the numbers, there is no player who has the statistics like Mohamed Salah, not only this season, but over the last 5-6 seasons in a row, they are not just amazing numbers, they are crazy.
“I think he does not get enough attention despite these numbers, because if it was Messi or Ronaldo, we would see talk every day about why his contract was not renewed and why the right offer was not made to him, but unfortunately, I think Mohamed Salah does not get this attention.”. But Lovren went on to say that Salah does want to stay at Liverpool if possible but admitted that a move to the Saudi Pro League could be on the cards if a new contract is not agreed.
“He loves Liverpool, by the way, he loves Liverpool a lot,” Lovren told WinWin. “And he wants to stay, and that's the most important part. Maybe he sees himself retiring there, I'm not entirely sure about that, but in the end it's not about those around him, it's about other people. "If he leaves, yes, why not? As you know, the Saudi league is starting to become more competitive. I think if Mo goes there, he will be one of the biggest stars, and it will be a huge marketing boom for the league, and he will definitely attract some fans with him, so let's wait and see what happens.".
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