In light of the ambiguity of the Egyptian star Mohamed Salah’s position regarding the negotiations to renew his contract with the English team Liverpool, and his statements that may suggest a departure, the Reds coach Jurgen Klopp commented on the negotiations and rejected Salah’s statements at this sensitive time of negotiations.
Despite everything, Klopp expressed his optimism about Salah signing a new contract with the club at the top of the English Premier League, adding that the long negotiations were not something to worry about.
Salah, the Egyptian striker, and the top scorer in the English Premier League this season with 16 goals, expires with Liverpool in 2023, and he has repeatedly stressed his desire to continue with the club.
Salah does not ask for “crazy things”
Negotiations to renew the contract are continuing between the two parties, and in an interview with GQ magazine, Salah, 29, said he was not asking for “crazy things”, but added that the matter was in the club’s hands.
The topic inevitably turned to Salah when Klopp spoke in his press conference before Liverpool’s match in the League Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Thursday.
Club “optimistic”
“I’m very optimistic about it, but I don’t think it makes sense to speak on behalf of the fans because I’m sure the fans are not as nervous as you. The conversations are good, that’s what I can say,” Klopp said.
“They’ve known the club for a long time and they’ve known the people here who deal with different things for a very long time, so I think there are enough reasons to be positive. But as long as it’s not done we can’t say anything about it.”
Salah, the former Chelsea striker, played a key role in the success of Liverpool under Klopp’s leadership, scoring 111 goals in the Premier League in 4 and a half seasons at Anfield.
Perhaps his interview with the magazine “GQ”, in which he said that his continuation or departure “is not in his hands”, worried the Liverpool fans, who adore him and sing his name with passion.
The timing of Salah’s statements
Klopp expressed his rejection of the statements of his team’s top scorer, saying, “At the present time, it is dangerous to do these interviews, we know what (Mo) wants to say, we want him to stay, this is the situation now, these things take time and I cannot change that.”
“There are a lot of things in the negotiations, and there is a third party also in the presence of his agent, there is no need to worry; it is a normal process,” he added.
The first leg of the League Cup semi-final was scheduled for last week at Arsenal, but the match was postponed due to Covid-19; Which led to the closure of the club’s training headquarters.
Anfield is now hosting the first leg, and Klopp says he now has a strong squad to choose from, despite the absence of Salah and Sadio Mane for their participation in the African Nations Cup. Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and goalkeeper Alisson are ready after a period of absence due to Covid-19.
“All players who are not injured or who have traveled to Africa can play,” the German coach said. “Trent and Alisson trained yesterday. Divock Origi and Thiago did not train. That is it.”
