Gary Neville has had his say on Mohamed Salah's contract saga, insisting he cannot believe how Liverpool have handled the negotiations.
Salah recently sparked controversy by expressing his “disappointment” at the club's failure to offer him a new contract. With his current contract set to expire at the end of the season, Liverpool risk losing the 32-year-old on a free transfer unless they tie him down to a new deal.
After his two goals in Liverpool's win over Southampton on Sunday, Salah caused a stir by telling reporters he felt “more out than in”, in what appeared to be a strategic move to speed up or kick-start contract talks. Reds icon Jamie Carragher was unhappy with the timing of the comments, given crucial games against Real Madrid and Manchester City were just around the corner, and branded the striker 'selfish'.
However, the Anfield faithful did not echo the ex-defender's sentiment and instead welcomed Salah with open arms as he took to the pitch to take on Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. Speaking on the It's Called Soccer podcast, Neville praised him for handling the situation “brilliantly” despite the ongoing tension.
“Mo Salah is doing fantastic on the pitch at the moment, but he is also doing very well off the pitch,” said the Manchester United legend. “He's balancing. He's not stupid enough to alienate the fans because he realizes that would be very short-lived in Liverpool. So he actually talks very fondly about the fans and how he loves the club, and he is very passionate.”
'But on the other hand, he also sends a message to the hierarchy. He's right [avoided] alienate the manager, that is [he loves] the manager, the fans and the club, but he says to the kind of sporting director or owners that he puts a little bit of pressure on them, which means that maybe the fans [do the same].”
According to the Liverpool Echo, Salah is keen to stay at Liverpool and talks with his agent Ramy Abbas are ongoing. However, a conclusion remains to be drawn. The Egypt international reportedly earns £350,000 a week, and while the details of his contract requirements are not known, there are indications he is reluctant to take a pay cut.
Neville went on to say he could not understand the reason behind Salah's lack of clarity, but suggested Liverpool's plan may always have been to sit down with the ex-Chelsea star after Christmas and do a deal.
“I think Liverpool will go to Mo Salah at some point. I don't know why they don't communicate with him,” he said. “I can't believe Liverpool wouldn't have done that.
“I would be surprised if Liverpool as a football club – with their experience in dealing with transfers and recruitment over many, many years – did not say to Salah's agent a few months ago or at the start of the season: 'we will go to sit'.” after Christmas and look at this in January?”
“We're both adults, we know you still have six months to go, let's see how the season goes, see if you enjoy it, see if we enjoy it.” That would have been the smartest thing to do.”
Salah has been performing excellently this season, scoring ten goals in twelve Premier League matches so far. He also scored twelve times in all competitions and had the chance to make thirteen against Madrid after conceding a penalty in the second half; However, his effort missed Thibaut Courtois' post. Nevertheless, Liverpool recorded a 2-0 victory.
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