Salah speaks out against Liverpool owners & responds to Saudi transfer interest

Mo Salah has hit Liverpool with an explosive contract ultimatum and warned he is more likely to leave the club than stay at Anfield.

The Egyptian king’s current deal runs out at the end of the season, and he can talk to potential rival suitors abroad in just five weeks. But in an astonishing outburst after his two-goal burst saved Liverpool at rock-bottom Southampton, Salah warned : “We are almost in December and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club. I'm probably more out than in.”

Salah, 32, admitted he was disappointed about the lack of progress, and his revelation rocks the boat at the start of a big week with Wednesday night’s Champions League date against Real Madrid followed by title nemesis Manchester City visiting Fortress Anfield. Fans are alarmed that Salah’s contract situation remains unresolved with skipper Virgil van Dijk and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold also nearing the end of their existing deals.

The Kop hero, whose 223 goals in 367 appearances helped fire Liverpool to the Champions League in 2019 and their first title in 30 years the following season, is the first to break ranks and signal his frustration.

He said: “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, it is December and I haven't received anything yet about my future. I love the fans and the fans love me. But in the end it is not in my hands or the fans' hands.”

Asked if he was saddened by the lack of progress, Salah added: “Of course, yeah. 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.

“I am very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I'm just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible.”

Liverpool are understood to be dismayed that Salah - whose current deal is worth around £300,000-a-week - has spoken out. Although there is no firm contract offer on the table, his representative Ramy Abbas Issa is though to have held constructive talks with the club.

Back in August 2023, Liverpool rejected a £150 million-plus offer for their top scorer from Saudi Arabian club Al-ittihad, but they are desperate not to let him walk away a a free agent for nothing in the summer. At the start of this season, when asked about his uncertain future, Salah shrugged: “Nobody in the club talked to me yet about contracts so I was just like, ‘OK, I play my last season and see at the end of the season’.”

But he is reluctant to talk about any lingering Saudi interest, adding: “I don't want to speak about that. I am focused with the team now.”

Salah dropped his bombshell after his second-half goals rescued Liverpool at St Mary’s and sent them eight points clear at the top with a hard-fought 3-2 win. He admitted: “We were not at our best but it's an important win. After the other international breaks we struggled against Forest and Chelsea. I'm glad that we managed to win after being 2-1 down.

“I'm just playing my game, trying to chill and relax and just play. The whole team has the chemistry now with the new manager. Hopefully we keep winning and win something in the end.”