Mohamed Salah Liverpool contract tactic works wonders as Reds 'make first extension offer'

The 32-year-old's future - as well as that of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk - has been the talk of the town as he runs down the last 12 months of his existing terms at Anfield.

Salah has not hesitated to put pressure on the board and openly discuss his situation with the media, memorably claiming last month that he was "more out than in" while he awaits a first offer of a renewal.

The Egypt international has also made comments about potentially facing opponents for the "last" time in a Liverpool shirt, as he can negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign teams from January onwards.

However, Salah going public with his contract admissions appears to have had the desired effect, as The Athletic claims that Liverpool have now made their first offer of a new contract to the ex-Chelsea man.

'Growing belief' that Salah will continue at Liverpool

It is unclear how many more years the Liverpool powers-that-be are offering Salah, who is by far and away the club's highest earner on a staggering £350,000 a week, but it is unlikely to be a four or five-year extension given his age.

The report adds that an agreement is not close or sealed, and nothing is set in stone with Salah's next career move just yet, but there is a 'growing belief' that he will remain with Arne Slot's side for a little while longer.

Even though Salah's expiring contract has been an unwelcome distraction, the 32-year-old has been in exhilarating form throughout the 2024-25 season, contributing 15 goals and 12 assists from 21 games in all tournaments.

Salah has struck 13 goals in just 14 Premier League outings this season - level with Erling Haaland at the top of the charts - while netting 226 goals and setting up 101 more in 370 matches overall.

Each of Liverpool's last seven Premier League matches has seen Salah find the back of the net, and he has also overtaken Wayne Rooney as the player to have both scored and assisted in the most games in the competition.

What about Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk?

Whether Salah going public really did speed up the negotiating process only those inside the club know, but news of the hierarchy finally presenting him with a new deal erases any doubt about their desire to keep hold of him.

One of three high-profile Reds who could leave for nothing next year, Salah's contract situation is identical to Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, both of whom are also now believed to have received offers to extend.

In Van Dijk's case, a separate report has claimed that the Dutchman has agreed to extend his stay at Liverpool, and it is only a matter of time before the club announce a renewal for their captain.

However, Alexander-Arnold is still being courted by Real Madrid, and there is not expected to be a resolution to his or Salah's situation for a little while yet.

Liverpool return to action away to Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday evening after their Merseyside derby with Everton was postponed due to Storm Darragh.

Written by

Ben Knapton