Liverpool are reportedly planning to open discussions "soon" with Mohamed Salah over his future at Anfield after the Egyptian suggested this could be his last season at the club.
Salah has been nothing short of a revelation for Liverpool since his £36.9m transfer from Roma in the summer of 2017, a move driven by Michael Edwards.
Now considered one of the club's all-time greats, the Egyptian has racked up 214 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances over seven seasons, averaging a remarkable goal contribution every 1.15 games for the Reds.
The 32-year-old played a starring role once again last weekend, when he tormented Manchester United at Old Trafford, leading his side to a 3-0 victory with two assists for Luis Diaz before netting the third himself.
Salah has scored at least 20 goals in each season he has spent at Anfield, and he is well on his way to maintaining that record, with three assists and three goals in the first three games of this season.
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Reds set to open new contract discussions with Salah imminently
In a shocking revelation following Liverpool's victory over United, Salah mentioned that this would be his "last season" at the club, adding that "nobody has talked to him" about a new deal.
Since those comments were aired and initially caused a stir among Liverpool supporters, they have come to be viewed more as a challenge from the Egyptian to the club's hierarchy to initiate contract renewal talks, rather than a genuine indication that he intends to leave Anfield.
It seems that Salah's message to the Liverpool board has been received as Football Insider now claim that the Reds are set to open talks with the 32-year-old within the next few weeks.
The report adds that the club's primary focus of late has been on integrating new manager Arne Slot along with the new recruitment team, including Richard Hughes and the returning Michael Edwards.
Salah has been a long-term target for clubs in Saudi Arabia, who reportedly saw their £150m offer for the player rejected by the Reds in the summer of 2023.
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Other Liverpool players reaching the end of their contracts
While the Reds have seemingly indicated that they are expected to commence negotiations soon, Salah is not the only player whose current deal at Anfield needs addressing.
England international Trent Alexander-Arnold and club captain Virgil van Dijk are also in the final 12 months of their contracts and will be able to discuss moves away from Merseyside in January if they are not offered extensions.
Alexander-Arnold's situation is arguably the most troubling for Liverpool fans, as the 26-year-old has shown signs of frustration in recent weeks, most notably when he was hooked and replaced by Conor Bradley in the 72nd minute against Brentford.
Van Dijk's situation, on the other hand, is somewhat different, as the Netherlands international will be 34 next year, and like most clubs, Liverpool are reluctant to offer lengthy deals to players over the age of 30.
However, the Reds' skipper has previously mentioned that he is "very calm" about his future at Anfield and is focused on doing the best that he can for the club this season.
Devesh Jaganath
