Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah’s fresh contract puts the Egyptian international on course for a ten-year stint at Anfield, a far cry from Gary Neville’s 2019 prediction that Salah would have moved on by now.
Salah, currently leading the Premier League scoring charts as Liverpool hunt down a second title, has been the subject of much speculation regarding his future as his contract entered its final stages. However, he has pledged his allegiance to the Reds by signing a new deal.
Back in August 2019, Salah was yet to claim a Premier League title with Liverpool. Perhaps this fact led Neville to predict that the ex-Roma player would seek greener pastures.
During Sky Sports’ Big Season debate marking the start of the 2019-20 season, Neville backed his old club Manchester United to clinch the league before Liverpool. Naturally, he was left red-faced when Jurgen Klopp guided the Reds to victory that very season.
However, this week, some Liverpool supporters have focused more on Neville’s comments about Salah. The Egyptian star was the top scorer in that title-winning campaign and is just four goals shy of surpassing ex-United striker Andy Cole to rise to fourth in the Premier League’s all-time scorers list – six years after Neville forecasted his departure.
“Salah’s going to leave in the next 12 months, I can see it already,” Neville claimed. His assertion was met with skepticism from Jamie Carragher, who jokingly accused the former right-back of being obsessed with Liverpool, but Neville reiterated his stance.
“Salah will leave, he will, I can absolutely guarantee it,” insisted Neville amidst Carragher’s challenges. “I can see it, you can feel it, you can smell it, you know it.”
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Despite Neville’s prediction back in 2020, Salah not only stayed put but played an instrumental role as Liverpool amassed more silverware than Manchester United over the past six years. The Reds are on the brink of clinching a second league title, adding to their three domestic cup triumphs, significantly overshadowing United’s pair of cup final victories under Erik ten Hag.
Upon renewing his commitment to Liverpool, Salah expressed his optimism about future successes with the club. “We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football,” he stated.
“It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.”
To the fans, Salah conveyed his contentment and his belief in Liverpool’s potential: “I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies.”
