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Jurgen Klopp was quick to downplay his touchline spat with Mo Salah in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at West Ham. Salah, on the other hand, fuelled the fire (quite literally) after telling assembled media, “If I speak today there will be fire…”
The incident isn’t likely to change anything. Salah was unhappy at being dropped for the game following the Merseyside Derby defeat at Everton, and also wanted to come on earlier; and Klopp is leaving anyway at the end of the season.
I would imagine between now and then we will see and hear first-hand the mutual respect Klopp and Salah have for each other. I really don’t see the spat being something Salah or Klopp will linger over.
Liverpool expect Salah to stay and be part of Arne Slot’s squad, and both Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will be tasked with not only convincing him to do one more season at Liverpool but, as importantly, extend his deal.
Sources have always indicated Saudi dealmakers are prepared to wait until 2025 for Salah. This could allow them to get him on a free transfer, and Salah would naturally seek a healthy signing-on fee should that scenario materialise.
From Liverpool’s perspective, they want Salah to extend, since this means should a Saudi offer arrive in 2025 they can still get a healthy fee if they wish to sell, likely in excess of £70m with bonuses on top.
Salah extending would also stop Liverpool having to deal with speculation this summer; or potentially consider an astronomical offer that has financial merit should Saudi try again this summer. Although that can’t entirely be ruled out, there is low confidence amongst Saudi dealmakers that Salah wants to leave Liverpool or Europe just yet.
Unless that changes, and Ministry of Sport executives get a green light for Salah, I would expect Saudi to play the long game.
The other factor in all this is the renewal of MENA rights for the Saudi Pro League in summer 2025, and the package Saudi Sports Channel has includes Egypt. It could potentially help Saudi get the best possible rights deal if they can secure Salah just before signing anything off with broadcasters. Perhaps Egypt rights will even be sold…
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