Jamie Carragher has strongly criticized Mohamed Salah's Liverpool contract comments, calling them “very disappointing” and “selfish”.
Salah told reporters after Sunday's 3-2 win over Southampton, in which he scored two goals, including the winner, that he has not yet received a new contract offer from the club and that he feels “more out than in” as he nears the end of his career is approaching. existing agreement.
The 32-year-old is one of Liverpool's top three players, along with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contracts expire this summer.
But the Egyptian's comments after the match have angered Carragher, who believes the focus for Salah this season should be on winning the Premier League, with the Reds eight points clear at the top.
Carragher told Monday Night Football: “There's obviously a big difference in valuation at the moment, where Mo Salah and his agent value themselves, whether that's financially or in terms of contract length, compared to what Liverpool are doing.
“The reason Liverpool haven't offered a contract yet is because Mo Salah will turn it down, so they are still in talks. I'm desperate for a meeting in the middle but I have to say I'm very disappointed.” with Mo Salah. That interview yesterday after the game and it's coming out today.
“Liverpool has Real Madrid during the week and Manchester City at the weekend, that's the story for Liverpool at the moment.
“Mo Salah, we are all very aware, especially the local reporters are in Liverpool, that in the seven years he has been at the football club he has been put in the mixed zone twice, which is his right, and that's absolutely fine.
“But he decided to quit for the third time at Southampton because he had won Liverpool the game and put that out.
“The most important thing for Liverpool this season is not the future of Mo Salah, it is not the future of Virgil van Dijk and it is not the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“The most important thing is that Liverpool win the Premier League. That is more important than any player, and if he continues to comment or his agent continues to post cryptic tweets, that is selfish. That is thinking about himself and not about football.” club.”
Carra: Liverpool has left big names behind before
Salah's importance to Liverpool is still evident after he has already scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions this season.
But while Carragher believes Salah is one of Liverpool's greats, the club have shown in the past that they are capable of moving on from legendary players.
He said: “I would say Mo Salah is one of the top five players to ever play for Liverpool.
“I would go for Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush and put Mo Salah in fifth place. That's how highly I rate him, that's how special this man is.”
Asked whether the club should give Salah what he wants, Carragher said: “No, it's not about giving someone what he wants.
“I hope that Mo Salah and the other two players involved, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, [don’t] the feeling that this club will fall apart if they ever move on. Steven Gerrard left the football club, the next manager came in and won the league. Steven Gerrard didn't win the league, Jurgen Klopp won the league with a new team.
“Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool's best ever player at the time, when he stopped playing, Peter Beardsley came in and was part of probably the best football team we ever saw in a red shirt in 1988.
“Graeme Souness left, Liverpool won the double two years later in 1986 for the first time in their history.
“Ian Rush moved on, after him came John Aldridge and later, as Ian Rush moved on, came Robbie Fowler.
“And Salah, would we miss him if he moved on? Of course, but I can assure you that Liverpool will move on.”
Analysis: A compromise is needed on both sides, but it has to work
Melissa Reddy, senior reporter, Sky Sports News:
“You understand why Salah has called it that. He has no new offer on the table, it's almost December and he can speak to foreign clubs in January, which is just a blink of an eye away.”
“It is important to emphasize that negotiations are ongoing between Liverpool and Salah's representative, Remy Abbas. I am told they are open and developing discussions. But ultimately a formal proposal will not be made until you agree on all terms that you are discussing.”
“Things are moving in the right direction, but there is clearly a gap between what Salah wants and what Liverpool are willing to put on the table. There needs to be a compromise on both sides.”
“Liverpool need to think about long-term squad planning, the age profile of the team and sustainable operations. But they should adjust their parameters for Salah.”
“He still wants to compete for domestic titles and the Champions League. Looking around, which top club would have room for him, and the ability to pay him what he deserves, and give him the freedom he wants?”
“He has made it abundantly clear that he loves Liverpool and wants to stay. So there has to be a bit of compromise on his side too, and because there is the will on both sides to get a deal done, it will happen eventually.” .”
“There is an element at Liverpool that is aware that whatever concessions they make with Salah, they also have to resolve two other major contract issues with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so there could be a knock-on effect there. ” .
“I'm told the club is very calm, but you can understand why the players, especially with Salah's status, don't feel that way.”
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