Mohamed Salah has opened up about the complexities of his contract negotiations with Liverpool, admitting that it “wasn’t easy” and he considered leaving the club. Despite the swirling rumors throughout the season, Salah committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new two-year deal last month, ensuring his stay at Anfield reaches 10 years.
In the midst of these discussions, Salah has had an exceptional season, netting 33 goals and providing 23 assists across 49 matches in all competitions, contributing significantly to Liverpool’s clinching of a 20th league title with four games left.
Salah’s stellar performance this season earned him the Football of the Year award for an unprecedented third time on Friday. He is also set to win the Premier League Golden Boot and is among the favorites for the Ballon d’Or.
At 32, Salah, who continues to attract interest from the Saudi Pro League, has shared insights into his mindset during the tense period of contract talks, revealing his readiness to part ways with Liverpool if the deadlock wasn’t resolved.
“It was a possibility, yes,” Salah confirmed. “It was actually a bit strange, we were really going strong this season, and there was this negotiation that wasn’t easy. In the end, all’s well that ends well: we’re champions and I’m staying for two more seasons.
“I guess it was ultimately a huge advantage because I had the best statistical season of my life. The possibility that it would be my last season here, perhaps, gave me the desire to make the most of it and give everything I had to win the title I had promised.
“I had this mindset: if the club doesn’t want to extend my contract, no worries, let’s finish as well as possible so I can leave with a bang.”
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With Liverpool sitting comfortably 15 points clear at the top of the table and set to host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, the Reds have already achieved what Salah set out to do by winning the Premier League.
“I even said it was my main goal,” Salh added. “This is the first time in my career that I have placed the Championship above the Champions League.
“It was such a heartbreak not to be able to celebrate with our fans in 2020, due to the pandemic, that I absolutely wanted, along with the whole team, to offer this to our fans and the city. Nine months later, promise kept.”
In a candid chat with France Football, Salah also touched upon his dynamic with ex-teammate Sadio Mane, acknowledging there was competition but insisting it never spilled over negatively onto the pitch.
“I scored a lot (44 goals in my first season), and then Sadio told himself it was his turn to score more too,” he explained. “Yes, there was tension with Sadio. But look, we remained professional until the end, and I don’t think it affected the team.
“It’s natural for someone to want more, and I understand that – he’s a competitor. Off the pitch, we weren’t very close, but we always respected each other.
“As for the comments about me being selfish? I don’t care. People have the right to think what they want – that’s their business. But I invite everyone to notice that the player who provided the most assists to Mane was me (18 assists).
“People can look at the facts, but clearly, it’s easier to throw out statements like that – they make big headlines.”
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
