Jamie Carragher believes Mo Salah has given the club owners a none too subtle hint that he is looking for a big new contract.
The Egyptian superstar gave a wide ranging interview to Spanish publication last week in which he touched on hoping to break more records at Liverpool, links with Barcelona and Real Madrid and being disappointed not being given the armband for the final Champions League fixture against FC Midtjylland.
It was that last statement that raised a fair few eyebrows and in the week before Christmas which is usually pretty quiet for storylines, this was a early present for the Football writers, even leading Jurgen Klopp to clarify matters once and all.
Writing on the matter for the Telegraph (per Metro), Reds legend Jamie Carragher believes that Salah’s comment about the captaincy was odd as he should not have been looking to play in a dead rubber fixture.
“Salah’s recent interview feeds that idea his career comes first. His comments about being upset not to be made captain in a dead rubber against Midtjylland underlined it. They were odd. I like most fans – did not think he should be playing in an inconsequential game, never mind be the skipper.
“The timing of the player initiating transfer stories is also strange. My view is it was a message to Liverpool’s owners to offer him a lucrative new deal.
Over the past decade, the likes of Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho have been lured away while still in their prime years.
Carragher feels that Liverpool are in such a strong position that in terms of poaching their players, teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona do not pose a threat anymore.
'Seeing their players being courted by the La Liga clubs would have concerned Liverpool five years ago. ‘Not now. I am not convinced Madrid and Barca can afford Salah. Investing well in excess of £125 million on a player who will turn 29 this summer is not good business.
“ No-one leaving Liverpool today can say they will improve their chances of winning trophies. Philippe Coutinho’s experience at the Nou Camp tells us that. ‘Liverpool can dominate in England and Europe – or certainly challenge for the Premier League and Champions League – every season Klopp is in charge.
In terms of his career, Carra feels that Mo is underrated by some, but can go on to well and truly cement his legacy.
“Salah may be one of the most underrated Liverpool players in the club’s history. I know how contentious that sounds. Salah is loved by supporters. He is already a club legend.
“Fitness permitting, Salah is guaranteed to score over 200 goals and continue to break records if he stays on Merseyside for his prime years."
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