Former Leeds United player Noel Whelan believes Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah will remain professional next season despite his contract issues.
The Egyptian is yet to sign a new deal despite reports suggesting he and the club have been locked in contract talks for months now.
Many believe that the delay on any developments from these talks mean that the star may walk away for free next summer.
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If that is to materialise, then question marks could be raised over how this situation will affect Salah’s performances next season, knowing his future doesn’t lie at Anfield.
However, Whelan believes that the 30-year-old won’t down tools and his commitment will remain exemplary.
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“I think he’ll just get on with the job if he is still there come the start of the season,” he told Football Insider.
“I still think something will happen. Once you get down to a certain point in the contract and a move doesn’t come off then it just makes more sense to see the season out.
“It’s not like Liverpool are going to be struggling at the bottom of the table. They’ll be up there with the best of them.
“He’ll be professional about it, there's no doubt about that. I don’t think he’s one of those players that will down tools. I think he’ll work hard and he’ll enjoy the last season.
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“I’m sure there’s going to be more success for Liverpool, given the signings they’ve made already this year.”
The Reds have already moved on one of their older attacking players this summer in Sadio Mane, who joined Bayern Munich last week.
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The Senegalese international had supposedly also held contract talks with the club, but decided on pursuing a new challenge.
Salah’s situation, combined with Mane’s departure, suggests this could be the beginning of the end of the current iteration of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
An ageing squad is looking at being rebuilt, with the acquisitions of Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Cavin Ramsay- all of whom are under 23- an indication of this.
Topics: Liverpool, Mohamed Salah
Alfie Culshaw