Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz has implored Mohamed Salah to remain at Anfield beyond the end of the 2024-25 season following the Egyptian's cryptic contract comments.
It is one of the worst-kept secrets in football that the Egypt international is in the last 12 months of his Reds deal, and clubs in Saudi Arabia are determined to bring him to the Middle East in the near future.
Liverpool memorably turned down a last-gasp £150m offer from Al-Ittihad for Salah in the summer of 2023, and there was even talk of a world-record £200m bid, which ultimately did not materialise.
The 32-year-old remained with Arne Slot's side in the most recent window, despite Jurgen Klopp's exit and the fact that he could agree a pre-contract with a foreign club in January, and he recently added fuel to the fire surrounding his future.
Following the Reds' 3-0 triumph over Manchester United in the Premier League, in which Salah scored once and provided two assists, the ex-Chelsea man said that the club had not entered any talks surrounding a new contract.
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Diaz: 'Salah leaving Liverpool would hurt a lot'
As a result, Salah is planning for the 2024-25 season as if it is his last in a Liverpool shirt, even though he apparently wants to stay, but Diaz - who was the beneficiary of two Salah assists at Old Trafford - is desperate for the pair to continue their partnership for a little while longer.
After arriving for international duty with Colombia, Diaz told Telemundo: "It would be hard for us, the players, as well as for Liverpool," as quoted by the Evening Standard.
"It will hurt a lot, he has a year to think about it. It is not easy at all. He always talks to us, it would be very hard to lose a player as key as he is. It is my team-mate's decision and it is respected, hopefully he doesn't leave."
Following Salah's revelations that Liverpool had not yet initiated talks over a new deal, the Reds hierarchy are supposedly now planning to start discussions with his entourage over the next few weeks.
The 32-year-old already boasts three goals and as many assists from the first three games of the 2024-25 Premier League season, taking his total for Liverpool to 214 goals and 92 assists in 352 competitive games.
What about Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold's contracts?
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was handed an unenviable in-tray upon his arrival at Anfield, as Salah is one of three high-profile names in the last year of their deals.
Indeed, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold can also leave as free agents next year, and the former recently claimed that he was very calm about his future at Anfield.
Due to his age, the 33-year-old may only be handed a two or three-year extension by the Reds at the most, but talks with his camp should begin in the near future as well.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold is believed to be on the radar of Champions League holders Real Madrid, but Liverpool appear to be the least concerned about his chances of leaving.
The Reds sit second in the Premier League table, only behind Manchester City on goals scored, and they return to action at home to Nottingham Forest on September 14.
Ben Knapton
