At some point a few months ago, Mohammed Salah and Liverpool FC appeared set to cut ties. Liverpool contract extension talks appeared to have stalled with Salah reported to be unhappy. As with their high-ranking rivals, Liverpool were loath to offer an aging star anything more than a one-year deal. The offer apparently made Salah feel undervalued and unwanted.
He had devoted eight years to the club and no other striker in Europe can match his current form. Reds fans worshipped their Egyptian King with religious fervor. Yet the bigwigs at Anfield refused to budge on their players-over-30 policy. So what made the jilted Salah change his mind with Saudi Pro League agents reportedly tempting him with obscene wages?
Comforts Of Home
It’s not among the sunnier locales in England, yet Liverpool holds some special appeal for a man born and bred in Egypt. “I played eight years, hopefully, it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football,” Salah said in a post-contract-signing interview. Yes, he would be making ridiculous wages in the Saudi Pro League or any other league he would have moved to. But in staying, Salah has saved himself the hustle of starting a new life in another city. Hard luck moving companies.
Liverpool Contract Extension Policy
Salah is not just over 30 years of age, he will be turning 33 this summer. This makes him ineligible for more than a one-year contract extension at the Merseyside club by three years. But the striker managed to arm-twist the Fenway Sports Group into giving him a two-year deal. This says much about the sway Salah holds over not just the fans, but Liverpool’s owners. Knowing he has the club’s full backing frees Salah to be his explosive best on the field. Premier League defenders are in for a torturous few weeks before the season ends.
The Loot
With an annual salary of over $23 million, the Liverpool striker is among the EPL’s best-paid players. His weekly wages come to well over $500,000 a week. But income from other sources is said to push this figure to a million bucks. The new Liverpool contract extension must have come with a few cherries on top to ensure Salah feels valued enough. And to ward off the oil-rich Saudis.
The Trophies
Staying at Merseyside is a sign that Salah feels his chances of challenging for top honors are better there. The English Premier League trophy he is bound to lift in a few weeks will be the second of his career. If Liverpool keeps their key players and adds reinforcements come summer, you wouldn’t bet against them retaining their title. Or making a strong challenge for the Champions League.
