Anfield legend Ian Rush has insisted that Mohamed Salah should not consider following in his footsteps by leaving Liverpool.
Rush knows all about his departure from the Reds, having done so twice in his career. His first departure in 1987 was short and sweet, as he returned to Merseyside after a lonely season at Juventus, having been homesick.
By the time he left for Leeds in 1996, the now 63-year-old was an absolute icon as the club's all-time top scorer. But while Salah has achieved the same status over the past seven and a half years, he doesn't think it's necessary to do the same as him.
Rush made his thoughts clear in an interview with the Echo last year, saying: “I would like him to extend his contract. We don't know what will happen but I'm sure every Liverpool supporter would love that too. “
“I left because I wasn't playing regularly. I just wanted to play football. I didn't want to sit on the bench and that's what you have to look at. I left here to go to Leeds United because I wanted to play week in, week out to play.
“I looked [Robbie] Fowler and [Stan] Collymore, they did really well together, and I didn't want to be on the bench. I enjoyed my football and that's why I went to Leeds.”
However, he made it clear that Salah's situation at Anfield is different, emphatically stating: “But that was my situation, it depends on whether you are happy to be on the bench or not. But Mo is not even at that stage yet , so no, there isn't really a reason for him to go yet.”
Salah shows no signs of slowing down at the age of 32 and occupies third spot on Liverpool's all-time top scorers list, although he is still over a century short of Rush in goals. His contract situation is approaching a crucial point, with clubs abroad able to negotiate with him from next month.
At the Northwest Football Awards last month, Rush reinforced his desire to see Salah extend his deal, he told the Mail. “Me and Mo talk a lot. People talk about whether he stays or goes, but I just enjoy seeing him on the pitch.
“He is a joy to watch. You think he has done nothing for 20 years, then he turns up with one or two goals. You can't buy that. That is special and he is a special player. Everyone wants him stays.”
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