Mohamed Salah told Sky Sports he is still “a long way” from agreeing a new contract with Liverpool after his player-of-the-match display in their 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.
Salah continued his excellent campaign by scoring one goal and setting up two others at the London Stadium as Arne Slot's side moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Salah is now among the top Premier League players for both goals and assists this season, with 17 and 13 assists respectively, but his future remains uncertain as he enters the final six months of his contract.
Asked if he was closer to sharing a positive update on a new deal, Salah told Sky Sports: “We are still a long way from that.
“I don't want to put something in the media and people start saying things, but nothing has actually changed.
“Now I'm concentrating on the team and hopefully we win the Premier League.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk's contracts also expire this summer, but Salah's stunning performances this season have him dominating the headlines.
Sunday's match was the eighth this season in which he has both scored and assisted, which is already the most by any player in a single Premier League season.
He has also scored 30 goals in just 18 Premier League games – the fewest of any player in the competition's history.
His total of 52 goals in all competitions in 2024 is the most of any player in the major European leagues.
“I just try to enjoy the game,” he added when asked about his continued improvement.
“I was a little disappointed with some of the shots I missed today, but I came here for the result. I'm always hungry for more. Hopefully I'll score more next time, but the most important thing is that the team won.”
“The only thing on my mind is that I want Liverpool to win the league and I want to be part of that. I will do my best to win the trophy.”
“We are moving in the right direction, but there are other teams trying to overtake us. We just have to stay humble and keep going.”
Redknapp: Liverpool may have to give him what he wants
Jamie Redknapp understands Liverpool's hesitation to offer Salah a long-term contract at the age of 32, but says his incredible form could force the club's hand.
“I understand Liverpool's position,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “He'll be 33 in June, so how long will they give him? Right now it looks like he could play for the next four years, but you just don't know.”
“Some players reach the top and then start to fall away. Think of two players who signed big contracts [Mesut] Ozil and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang.
“But I don't see that with these three players. They are so hungry, so effective, so good at what they do and it plays into Liverpool's hands.”
“I think Salah will eventually sign a contract. They will have to find a middle ground in what they want because he will want top money, but Liverpool will be nervous about his age and not give him too long a contract.”
“But because he's playing so well, he's almost forced to give Liverpool what he wants.
“It's the same with Virgil. He's such a Rolls Royce, I see him playing at this level for another three years. Imagine letting him go; any club would give him what he wanted.”
“Trent is in a different situation because of his age. But those two [Salah and Van Dijk] are at a different stage. They make it so perfect for Liverpool in terms of the way they play, but make it difficult in the contract situation.”
Best in the world? You can't argue with that, says Slot
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said Salah is the best player in the world right now, telling Sky Sports: “When you look at his numbers you can't argue [with] That.
“There are several players in different leagues who have a lot of quality. But Mo is absolutely at the top at the moment.
“He could have scored more today, but I also liked his work rate for the team without the ball.
“He's in a really good place. There's no arguing about that. And let's hope he can stay that way for a long time to come.'
Analysis: Salah has already sewn up POTS
Sky Sports' Peter Smith at the London Stadium:
The Premier League is approaching the halfway mark, but the Player of the Season award already appears to have been locked in. Cole Palmer is blindsided. Bukayo Saka has shone. But Mohamed Salah is in a class of his own.
At the top of the goals overview. At the top of the assist diagram. More goal involvements than any player in Europe's top five leagues: an incredible 52 in all competitions by 2024.
He has scored and assisted in eight different Premier League games – and it's only December. The staggering statistics continue.
And all this from a 32-year-old who is out of contract this summer. Things off the field have not proven to be a distraction. Perhaps they have been a motivator for the Egyptian; a point to prove? Well, he certainly does.
He has proven to be the best player in the Premier League and Liverpool should definitely give this brilliant player a new contract. He is driving them towards another Premier League title.
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