Liverpool handed fresh warning over Salah contract as transfer issue emerges

Emile Heskey reckons Liverpool need to be careful with Mo Salah because the striker is "irreplaceable."

Salah’s contract situation remains a hot topic of debate with the Egyptian’s current deal finishing in the summer. Liverpool, of course, are top of the Premier League and Champions League standings, with the legendary forward’s fine form a big part of their success.

But an ongoing contract stand-off between the two parties continues to bubble in the background. Ex-England forward Heskey, who scored 39 goals for Liverpool between 2000 and 2004, urged for the Anfield powerbrokers to sort the issue sooner rather than later.

He told Instant Casino: “It’s difficult to say who will be the biggest loss in the summer for Liverpool. If you lose Mohamed Salah – how much does his replacement cost you? Can you even replace him?

“Who’s putting numbers up like Salah? Absolutely no one. I understand his age but that really doesn’t show in his performances, he doesn’t stop running in his games and his stats speak for themselves. He’s irreplaceable.”

Salah, who turns 33 in June, is the Premier League’s leading scorer with 18 but also tops the list for assists with 13. He has rattled off almost 200 goals for the Reds since joining in 2017.

Captain Virgil van Dijk and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold are both also out of contract in the summer. Heskey, 47, added: “Virgil van Dijk makes everyone around him grow in stature; he’s an amazing leader. He’s been the heart of that back line for years and they wouldn’t have had the level of success they’ve had without him, not a chance.

“I’d edge that Salah is the most important of the three.” And Heskey, who won the FA Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool in 2001, is adamant negotiations won’t affect the Anfield club’s title bid.

They have won just once in their last four games, needing to come from behind to draw at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. They also only managed a point against Manchester United and suffered a 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg loss at Spurs a week ago.

Arne Slot’s only win in this recent run was Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup romp against Accrington Stanley - but they are still six points clear at the top of the league where they have lost just once all campaign.

Heskey added: “I don’t see the contract issues at Liverpool affecting their title challenge; if it was going to have an effect, I believe it would’ve done by now.

“I think it’ll make them even more determined to kick on and win that title to prove the doubters wrong. They’re getting it right at the moment and they’ll be difficult to catch.”