The sale of Philippe Coutinho in January dampened the atmosphere at Anfield even though the team were doing well in January.
The Reds are playing some exciting football but will need to retain their star players to have a shot at silverware next season. Their top goal scorer Mohamed Salah is the next player extensively linked with an exit.
Salah To Snub Offers From Spain
According to several reports, Spanish giants Real Madrid are desperate for some attacking additions this summer and see Salah as a long-term replacement for the Welsh speedster Gareth Bale. However, Liverpool are adamant on no selling Salah and want to make a statement now by offering the Egyptian a new deal, less than a year after signing him from AS Roma.
The Mirror has this week claimed that Liverpool are ready more than double Salah’s current salary to try and extend his stay at Anfield. Salah earns £90k a week on his current contract but the Reds are prepared to offer him £200k a week to ward off interest from Spain. This will also make him one of the highest paid players in the league but is this the right move by Klopp?
Salah And His Return To England
After failing to have an impact at Stamford Bridge in his first stint in England, Salah moved to Anfield at the start of the season on a £34m deal but very few expected the kind of form he has shown this season.
With 36 goals in all competitions to add to 10 assists, the 25-year old is currently leading the race for the European and the Premier League Golden Boot and has established himself as one of the best in Europe.
He has shown signs of such form in Italy recently, but Klopp has built his Liverpool side around the pacey winger who’s output has been great.
His skill and composure in front of goal has been astonishing and though his form this season might be a purple patch he might never reach again, he adds so much more to the Liverpool game that he has almost become irreplaceable.
Can Liverpool Really Retain Him?
The system at Anfield is certainly getting the best out of Salah but it is evident that he can walk into most of the top squads in Europe. But Liverpool will believe that they can keep him for at least another couple of years, thanks to his recent comments.
Speaking to the media recently, Salah said, “I like the Premier League. It suits my style and I love playing here.” He is a part of something really tasty that is brewing at Anfield and financial incentives are the only thing that can lure him out of Liverpool, at least in the near future.
But if Liverpool are ready to pay up to £200k a week for his services, they are giving Salah no reason to quit this summer. Winning titles will still be the priority for the Egyptian, but he will surely want to contribute to it at least for another season in England.