Mohamed Salah is 32 years old this year, the age at which many players are starting to think about gradually ending their peak career to move to the "light-paid, high-paid" destinations in the Saudi Pro League or MLS. However, like many years ago, Mohamed Salah still refused every invitation to stay and play for Liverpool, despite the team entering a new era.
During Jurgen Klopp's glorious 9 years at Liverpool, there were many players who became symbols of the club such as Virgil van Dijk, the winger pair Alexander-Arnold - Andy Robertson or goalkeeper Alisson Becker. However, the most prominent person is still Mo Salah.
The Egyptian striker has worked side by side with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to become the most fearsome attacking trio in Europe. For them, Liverpool have won all the possible titles at the club level and helped Klopp's legacy at Anfield become the strongest.
Having gone through his most glorious period, many people have lost their passion for conquering, lost form or simply wanted to find a new environment, Salah still stays, although many doors have opened before him to enter a new chapter.
The ministries that remain after the Jurgen Klopp era are all being blown away with potential destinations after the 2024-2025 season, with Salah alone remaining steadfast at Anfield in the face of all media storms.
If there had been no proactive refusal to accept the offers in the past, perhaps in this winter transfer window, "Pharaoh Egypt" had become the hottest name sought after by big teams. Although the information about the extension between the two sides is still unofficial, if The Kop does not offer a new contract that is in line with Salah's legitimate wishes, it could create a scandal if both sides end it.
Why is that? Because despite being 32 years old and having had many successful seasons, Salah's form has never fluctuated, he is always the leader of The Kop's attack. After round 19 of the Premier League, Salah is still leading the list of top scorers with 18 goals and 13 assists, an average of one goal per 52.7 minutes. This figure far exceeds Gabriel Jesus'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man City 2016-2017) and is even 10 minutes better than Erling Haaland in the 2022-2023 record season.
In addition, Salah has reached the milestone of 30 assists faster than any player in Liverpool's history, surpassing the achievement of Luis Suarez (19 matches). This further affirms his class and deserves to be one of the best players in the Premier League era.
After round 19, Salah has contributed to 38% of Liverpool's total goals in the Premier League, behind only Chris Wood (42%) and Erling Haaland (44%). Not only that, he also created more than 1/3 of the expected goals (xG) and big opportunities of the Anfield team.
Looking at the big picture, when entering his 8th consecutive season with Liverpool, Salah has never scored less than 20 goals/season. Fans still talk about high school players like Ronaldo or Messi, but Salah certainly cannot be outside that golden table.
The Egyptian star's stature towards Liverpool does not only come from goals or assists, it is also iconic. In every promotion link or image campaign of Liverpool, Salah always occupies the most prominent position. The Kop fans have many songs dedicated to their idols. If Jurgen Klopp was printed on the cheering flags at Anfield, now that honor is also for Salah.
Arne Slot understands Salah's importance to Liverpool to the point of giving up and The Kop themselves do not want to lose their main striker or historical player this summer. Every plan for Salah will need to be carefully calculated so that both sides can feel happy after many years of glory and dedication.
