Liverpool may have factored in an expected decline in Mohamed Salah's performances during contract negotiations, perhaps explaining why an agreement has not yet been reached, according to Reds expert David Lynch.
The Merseysiders comfortably saw off Ipswich Town 4-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League at Anfield and maintained their six-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal.
Salah found himself on the scoresheet in the 35th minute, scoring for the first time in three league games and bringing an end to his most barren spell in the top flight in 2024-25.
The Egyptian has faced scrutiny in the past for his performances in the second half of seasons, but Lynch told Sports Mole that while Liverpool will factor in Salah's potential decline, criticism of the 32-year-old's performances in the latter stage of campaigns has been overboard, saying: "It's definitely something Liverpool have to factor in, in terms of will we see some decline in the second parts of seasons, is that going to become more pronounced with age?
"It is over-egged - last season [age] was a factor, but it came off the back of having an injury and going to AFCON, and that caused him a lot of problems. Post-AFCON slumps from him have been a thing - and that's something Liverpool have to factor into contract talks and in terms of what they're giving - but in general seasons where he doesn't go to AFCON, I don't feel that that's a massive issue."
Salah failed to register a goal or assist in 10 of his final 16 Premier League matches in 2023-24, but he has only failed to register a goal contribution on three occasions this term.
Why Salah's performances do not hint at decline
The Egyptian tallied 18 goals and 10 assists in the top flight in 2023-24 but has already produced 19 goals and 13 assists in the league this term, leading the way in both categories amongst all players in the division.
His strike against Ipswich also saw him rise to seventh in the Premier League's all-time scorers list with 176 goals, surpassing Thierry Henry's record of 175 goals.
Lynch expressed his confidence that Salah would continue to produce at a world-class level, telling Sports Mole: "You are going to get a couple of games where he doesn't provide a goal or assist when he's been doing it every game for 12, 13 games on the bounce - that's going to happen, that's going to be natural. But he set up seven chances against Brentford, he takes two or three shots.
"He's not struggling to get himself in positions to make things happen, and if you do that it's like any underlying number - he's going to deliver on that eventually.
"We hear too much about [a potential decline in the second part of the season]. I've not got any concerns about him. I'm sure Liverpool will factor into their contract talks what he's like post-AFCON and there will be one coming up soon, but from his perspective, I'm sure we'll see a lot of goals from him between now and the end of the season."
The Egyptian is on track to score 33 goals and produce 22 assists in the Premier League alone, and 55 goal contributions would be the most ever in a single Premier League season.
© Imago
Why have Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold not had their contracts renewed?
Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold are set to leave the club at the end of 2024-25 unless agreements on new deals are reached, but given the former is 33, Liverpool may be factoring in a potential decline in his performances like Salah.
Alexander-Arnold is only 26 and should be entering his prime, but the right-back has been consistently linked to Real Madrid, and speculation regarding a potential move to Spain has become harder to ignore as the season has progressed.
However, Lynch told Sports Mole that there is a chance news of agreements with the duo could come suddenly, saying: "It's one of those, and it's the same with every contract or every signing that a lot of these things can just happen very quickly.
"It goes from us not knowing it's done to suddenly, bang, they agree. I know this for a fact, [agreements] end up on the club's website within a couple of hours. So it can happen very suddenly. We're not hearing any major updates at the moment outside of knowing that the talks are ongoing. Just got to hang in there and hope it's a positive update soon."
Winning the Premier League alongside potentially other major silverware would be a perfect start to life as Liverpool boss for Arne Slot, but there is no doubt that he would find 2025-26 significantly more difficult if any of Salah, Van Dijk or Alexander-Arnold were to leave Anfield.
Lewis Nolan
