Mohamed Salah: Liverpool Forward Hints at Departure as Contract Talks Stall

Mohamed Salah expressed his disappointment over the fact that he has not yet been offered a new contract by Liverpool, stating that he is feeling "more out than in" as his current deal is set to expire at the end of the season.

That will come as alarming news to Liverpool supporters, who sang his name through the second half of the 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday, when the Egyptian scored twice to seal a comeback and extend the Reds' lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Salah is having a stellar campaign, with 10 goals and six assists in his first 12 league appearances of the season. But the prospects of him extending his eight-season stay at Liverpool remain unclear.

"Well, we are almost in December and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club," the 32-year-old told the media after the match at St Mary's. "I'm probably more out than in.

"You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven't received anything yet about my future."

Asked if he was disappointed there had been no offer from Liverpool, Salah said: "Of course, yeah. I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see.

"I'm not going to retire soon so I'm just playing, focusing on the season and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed but we will see."

In September, Salah told : "No one at the club has spoken to me about contracts, so I'm just like, 'OK, I'm playing my last season' and see what happens at the end of the season."

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are also out of contract this summer.

Speaking on November 1, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: "All three are playing really well at the moment and there are ongoing discussions with the people Virgil says he has to talk to, and that's not me as you know. I talk to him about other things."

Carra desperate for Salah to stay

Jamie Carragher:

"I think the issue is obvious, it is what Mo Salah feels he is worth in whether that is financial terms or length of contract. It is different to what Liverpool feel at the moment.

"I hope they meet somewhere in the middle at some stage between now and the end of the season as I'm desperate to see him in a Liverpool shirt next season.

"We've all been there as players, when you get to that stage of your career. Your age is getting higher and that is a factor for some clubs. They look at the data and analytics, it is not just the notion of Salah being a great player for Liverpool.

"It is what he is going to do for Liverpool in the future. That is what they are talking about. I have no problem with no contract being offered just yet as they are obviously in talks.

"There is no point Liverpool making an offer that they know Salah will turn down. I hope it gets sorted."

Analysis: Compromise needed on both sides - but it should get there

News' senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

"You can understand why Salah has termed it this way. He doesn't have a new offer on the table, it's nearly December and he can speak to overseas clubs in January, which is just a blink away.

"It's important to stress negotiations are ongoing between Liverpool and Salah's representative Remy Abbas. I'm told those are open, developing conversations. But, ultimately, a formal proposal is only made when you've agreed on all the terms you are discussing.

"Things are progressing in the right direction, but obviously there is a gap between what Salah wants and what Liverpool are prepared to put on the table. There has to be a compromise on both sides.

"Liverpool have to think about long-term squad planning, the age profile of the team, and about operating sustainably. But they would need to bend their parameters for Salah.

"He still wants to compete for domestic titles, and the Champions League. If he's looking around, which top club would have space for him, and the ability to pay him what he deserves, and give him the freedom he wants?

"He has made it abundantly clear he loves Liverpool and wants to stay. So there also needs to be a bit of compromise on his side, and because there is a will to get a deal done from both parties, it will ultimately get there.

"There is an element of Liverpool being conscious that whatever concessions they make with Salah, they also have two other big contract issues to sort with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so there might be a bit of a knock-on effect there.

"I'm told the club are very calm, but you can understand why the players, especially with the status of Salah, aren't feeling that way."