Van Dijk response to Salah interview speaks volumes amid Liverpool uncertainty

Sometimes it just needs to be looked at.

And that was certainly the case when Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk flashed a knowing grin as Mohamed Salah, normally reserved with the media, spoke out about his contract situation after the win over Southampton.

In a rare post-match interview, Egypt's Kop king admitted he was “disappointed” at the stagnation in contract negotiations, with just seven months left on his Anfield deal – with Van Dijk finding himself in a similar situation .

Salah's comments came after he turned in another star-studded performance and made the difference with two crucial goals after the break to complete a 3-2 comeback win on the south coast. Sure, he got a helping hand from Alex McCarthy, Southampton's hapless stand-in keeper, but Salah's ruthlessness put Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the table.

With the match teetering on the edge, Salah pounced on a mistake from Alex McCarthy to secure his tenth league goal of the season and give Liverpool a sizeable eight-point lead in the title series.

Salah stated: “Well, we are almost in December and I have not received any offers to stay at the club yet. [so] I'm probably outside more than inside.

“You know I have been at the club for years. There is no club like it. But ultimately it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I have not yet received anything about my future.” .

“I love the fans. The fans love me. Ultimately it's not in my hands or in the hands of the fans. Let's wait and see. Of course [no offer is disappointing]Yes. I'm not retiring anytime soon so I'm just playing, focusing on the season and trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League too. I'm disappointed, but we'll see.

“I am very professional. Everyone can see my work ethic. I just try to enjoy my football and I will play at the highest level for as long as possible. I just do my best because this is who I am and I try to give it my all for myself and for the club.

“We'll see what happens next.”

As Salah speaks, Van Dijk appears over his shoulder in the mixed zone and gives what looks like a knowing smile as he sees Salah in full swing. Smiling, Salah added: “As you can see, I am very professional and everyone sees my I am just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level for as long as possible [Van Dijk].”

Salah's comments saw him criticized by Kop legend Jamie Carragher on Monday evening.

Speaking on Sky Sports he said: “Of course there have been discussions, yes. There is clearly a big difference in valuation at the moment. Whatever Mo Salah and his agent value themselves for, whether that be financially or in terms of contract length, and what Liverpool are doing.

“The reason Liverpool haven't offered a contract yet is because Mo Salah will turn it down, so they're still in talks, I'd like them to meet halfway.

“But I have to say that I am very disappointed in Mo Salah. That interview last night after the game if it comes out. 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 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. That is his right and that is absolutely fine, but he decided to quit for the third time at Southampton because of winning the match and releasing it.

“The most important thing for Liverpool Football Club this season is not the future of Mo Salah, not the future of Virgil van Dijk and 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 and his agent continues to post cryptic tweets, that's selfish. That is thinking about themselves and not about the football club.”

As things stand, both Van Dijk and Salah, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, are free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1.