Jamie Carragher has strongly criticised Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool contract feedback, branding them “very disappointing” and “selfish”.
Salah advised reporters after Sunday’s 3-2 victory at Southampton, by which he scored two objectives together with the winner, that he’s but to obtain a brand new contract provide from the membership and feels “more out than in” as he nears the top of his present deal.
The 32-year-old is one in every of three key Liverpool gamers, together with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contracts expire this summer time.
However the Egyptian’s post-match feedback have angered Carragher, who believes the main target for Salah needs to be on successful the Premier League this season with the Reds sitting eight factors clear on the prime.
Carragher advised Monday Evening Soccer: “Proper now there’s clearly a giant distinction within the valuation. What Mo Salah and his agent worth themselves at, whether or not that is financially or by way of size of contract, to what Liverpool do.
“So the explanation Liverpool would not have provided a contract but is as a result of Mo Salah will flip it down, in order that they’re nonetheless in talks. I am determined for them to satisfy within the center, however I need to say I’m very dissatisfied with Mo Salah. That interview yesterday after the sport and it comes out at the moment.
“Liverpool have gotten Actual Madrid midweek they usually’ve acquired Manchester Metropolis on the weekend, that is the story for Liverpool proper now.
“Mo Salah, we’re all quite aware, certainly the local reporters are in Liverpool, that in the seven years he’s been at the football club he’s stopped in the mixed zone twice, which is his right, which is absolutely fine.
“However he determined to cease for the third time away at Southampton on the again of successful Liverpool the sport and placing that out.
“Now the most important thing for Liverpool this season is not the future of Mo Salah, it’s not the future of Virgil van Dijk and it’s not the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“An important factor is Liverpool successful the Premier League. That’s extra necessary than any of these gamers, and if he continues to place feedback out or his agent retains placing cryptic tweets out, that is egocentric, that is fascinated about themselves and never the soccer membership.”
Carra: Liverpool have moved on from greats earlier than
Salah’s significance to Liverpool continues to be clear after hitting 12 objectives and offering 10 assists throughout all competitions already this season.
However whereas Carragher believes Salah is amongst Liverpool’s greats, the membership have proven previously they can transfer on from legendary gamers.
He mentioned: “I would say Mo Salah is in the top five players to ever play for Liverpool.
“I might go Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush and I might put Mo Salah in fifth place. That is how extremely I charge him, that is how particular this man is.”
Questioned whether the club should give Salah what he wants, Carragher replied: “No, it is not about giving anyone what they need.
“I hope Mo Salah and the opposite two gamers who have been concerned on this, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, [don’t] really feel like that this membership will crumble in the event that they ever transfer on. Steven Gerrard left the soccer membership, the following supervisor got here in and gained the league. Steven Gerrard did not win the league, Jurgen Klopp gained the league with a brand new group.
“Kenny Dalglish, at that time Liverpool’s greatest-ever player, when he stopped playing, Peter Beardsley came in and was part of probably the greatest footballing team we’ve ever seen in a red shirt in 1988.
“Graeme Souness left, Liverpool gained the double for the primary time of their historical past two years later in 1986.
“Ian Rush moved on, after him came John Aldridge and then later when Ian Rush moved on, Robbie Fowler came.
“And Salah, would we miss him if he moved on? In fact we might, however I can guarantee you Liverpool will transfer on.”
Analysis: Compromise needed on both sides – but it should get there
Sky Sports News’ senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
“You possibly can perceive why Salah has termed it this fashion. He does not have a brand new provide on the desk, it is practically December and he can converse to abroad golf equipment in January, which is only a blink away.
“It’s important to stress negotiations are ongoing between Liverpool and Salah’s representative, Remy Abbas. I’m told those are open, developing conversations. But ultimately, a formal proposal is only made when you’ve agreed on all the terms you are discussing.
“Issues are progressing in the proper path, however clearly there’s a hole between what Salah desires and what Liverpool are ready to placed on the desk. There must be a compromise on either side.
“Liverpool have to think about long-term squad planning, the age profile of the team, and about operating sustainably. But they would need to bend their parameters for Salah.
“He nonetheless desires to compete for home titles, and the Champions League. If he is wanting round, which prime membership would have house for him, and the power to pay him what he deserves, and provides him the liberty he desires?
“He has made it abundantly clear he loves Liverpool and wants to stay. So there also needs to be a bit of compromise on his side, and because there is a will to get a deal done from both parties, it will ultimately get there.
“There is a component of Liverpool being aware that no matter concessions they make with Salah, in addition they have two different huge contract points to type with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so there is likely to be a little bit of a knock-on impact there.
“I’m told the club are very calm, but you can understand why the players, especially with the status of Salah, aren’t feeling that way.”