Steve McManaman 'surprised' to see Mohamed Salah contract comments ahead of big week - 'Not great to see'

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Liverpool great Steve McManaman says Mohamed Salah’s comments on contract negotiations are “not great to see” for fans, and hopes a deal will get done. The Egypt forward’s existing deal expires next summer, with the 32-year-old claiming he “feels more out than in” when asked about how talks have been progressing. Salah has scored 12 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

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Liverpool legend Steve McManaman has described Mohamed Salah’s comments about his future on Merseyside as a "big surprise" and believes it is a tactic to put pressure on the club’s hierarchy.

Speaking after scoring twice for the Premier League leaders in a 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday, the Egypt forward claimed he had not been offered a new deal and said he was "more out than in", with his existing terms due to expire next summer.

After a leaner season in 2023/24, Salah has received rave reviews for his performances under Arne Slot this season, having scored 12 goals in 18 games in all competitions so far.

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Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League game between Liverpool and Real Madrid, McManaman gave his thoughts on the situation and believes the sticking point may be over the contract duration rather than finances.

"It was a big surprise that Mo Salah came out and said what he said, but I think he just wants to put himself in a position of power," said the former winger.

"I know Liverpool have been speaking to his agent about everything, but of course he mustn't be happy about how those conversations have gone, and he wants to put a little bit of pressure on Liverpool.

"When you get offered new contracts at his age – he’s 32 – a lot of it depends on the length of the contract. How long does Mo want? How long are Liverpool willing to offer? Does he want three, four years? Do Liverpool only want to give him two?

"I don’t necessarily think the money should be a factor; he’s been very well paid for the last three years. But there must be a number of things that he’s not particularly happy with."

Liverpool return to Anfield tomorrow night for the first time since Salah made the comments, which have received a mixed reaction from the club’s former players.

"It’s not great to see if you’re a Liverpool fan, it puts a bit of pressure on the people who are making decisions because he’s playing so, so well at the moment," said McManaman.

"It’ll be interesting on Wednesday to see how the fans react to it all. Hopefully him [and] Liverpool can sit down and sort the minutiae of the deal and get it done.

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"Myself, like most Liverpool fans, think he’s playing as good as ever, and he looks as fit as ever. He seems to play all the time, seems to handle the games very well, which is hard in this day and age, and he doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down numbers wise.

"Let’s see if they can all get it done, get it sorted out, and we’ll see Mo Salah in a Liverpool shirt next year."

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