Liverpool have long prided themselves on their special relationship with their fans. But that has now been shaken to its core by the publication of Mohamed Salah's interview about his contract situation. The Egyptian striker has said he is more likely to leave Anfield than stay.
Liverpool fans around the world reacted with amazement, with disbelief quickly turning to anger at the very real prospect of one of their greatest players leaving on a free transfer next July.
Salah rarely speaks to the media after matches, so his decision to go public with his contract situation after scoring twice against Southampton must have been carefully considered.
The Egyptian wants to stay, but only if the club can match his demands. Salah is currently Liverpool's highest-paid player, earning around £350,000 a week. When Salah turns 33 next June, negotiations will become more complicated.
For Liverpool fans, this is a no-brainer and they want American owners FSG to give Salah what he wants. The statistics prove it.
Since joining Anfield for £32m from AS Roma in 2017, Salah is the Premier League's top scorer with 165 goals in 262 appearances. The 32-year-old is also second in assists with 74.
Unlike many other Premier League stars in their 30s, such as Casemiro or Kevin De Bruyne, age has not worn Salah down. He has 12 goals and 10 assists this season in just 18 appearances.
The Reds would not have been able to create an eight-point gap in the Premier League and top the Champions League with an unbeaten record without Salah. The Egyptian's value at Anfield is clear to everyone. Salah's mark has appeared throughout Liverpool's successes since 2019 with important goals in big matches.
Replacing such a talented player will not be easy. Of course, handing a player who is about to turn 33 a big-money two or three-year contract is almost unheard of, especially in the Premier League.
However, if Liverpool fail to agree terms and let Salah leave for free, it will be a media disaster. Arne Slot has worked wonders this season, seamlessly succeeding Jurgen Klopp and leading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League and Champions League.
Losing Salah next summer would weaken Liverpool, alongside the contract status of Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Certainly, the Reds fans would not be so forgiving if Liverpool let Salah go.
