Mohamed Salah insists he is not close to signing a new contract with Liverpool, undermining Michael Owen's faith in a quick extension.
Led by revelation Arne Slot, the Reds have stormed to a remarkable eight-point lead at the top of the English top flight. They are nine ahead of challengers Arsenal with a game in hand against second-placed Nottingham Forest.
But while such results have spread the positivity at Anfield, the underlying expiry of the contracts of three first-team stars still lingers, with Salah – alongside teammates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold – yet to renew contracts due to expire in 2025 .
As Liverpool strolled to a 5-0 win at West Ham, former striker Owen was probably feeling sheepish after his recent confident statement – that Salah will extend his stay on Merseyside – was seemingly shut down by the Egyptian.
Speaking after the win against the Hammers, in which he contributed a goal and two assists, the 32-year-old denied any suggestion that a deal was on the verge of being reached. 'No, we are still a long way from that [contract]and I don't want to put anything in the media,” Salah told Sky Sports when asked about the possibility of an extension.
“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 make sure the team wins the trophy. There are a few other teams that can beat us catching up, and we have to stay focused and humble and go again.”
This post-match admission came just as Owen's views on re-signing Salah were made clear, with the former striker confident Liverpool would retain their star striker.
“At some point it's just going to happen,” Owen told the Liverpool Echo about Salah's extension. “But people won't get regular updates from the club. These things usually happen privately and with three big players it gets a lot of attention.
“He will continue to be asked and he will continue to turn it down. I have said a few times that I am still confident that Mohamed Salah will sign. I don't see where else he would go.”
“If he was so against drawing, he would never have made a fuss about it. That sounds like someone who wants to get it done and is a little agitated.”
While Salah himself remains tight-lipped, another Premier League icon also believes he will sign a new contract with the Reds in January and that his stay will be the biggest deal of the future.
“Mohamed Salah could be the biggest signing of January,” former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Sport. “You look at his fitness, the stats, the performance levels he's achieving; players can continue for much longer now. He plays every game when he's fit, only rotated when necessary. I'd be surprised if he doesn't.” sign a new contract [at Liverpool].”
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