COLUMN | King Kenny's words echo as Liverpool face crucial decision on Mohamed Salah's future

“There is no one anywhere in the world at any stage who is any bigger or any better than this football club.”

These are the famous words of Liverpool’s legendary forward and manager Kenny Dalglish. 

But “King Kenny” also said: "The people who come to watch us play, who love the team and regard it as part of their lives, would never appreciate Liverpool having a huge balance in the bank. They want every asset we possess to be wearing a red shirt.”

It is exactly this conundrum that Liverpool are faced with in regard to Mohamed Salah.

The 32-year-old Egyptian has been tearing up the record books at Anfield since joining the Reds in September 2017.

And despite his advanced age, especially for a flying winger, he is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, he is only getting better as his current 30 goals and 21 assists from 38 appearances this season – 25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League – indicates.

Salah is truly red hot at the moment having found the net in his last eight matches placing him on the threshold of passing South African-born Gordon Hodgson as the third-highest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.

What’s the problem then? 

Well, for starters, Salah is in the final four months of his £350 000-a-week contract and could potentially leave Liverpool at the end of the season on a free transfer. 

The leading suitors are, of course, the oil-rich Saudi Arabian Pro League that have long wanted the Egyptian Pharoah as their posterboy alongside Portuguese all-time great Cristiano Ronaldo. 

So, where does it leave everyone? 

It’s certainly hard to draw a line in the sand when it comes to Salah’s future at Liverpool because nobody actually knows what he really wants. 

What he has done is not only perform brilliantly on the field, but also played the game excellently off the field. 

There was a period when Salah stated he’s “more out than in” but to diffuse any negative reaction from the Anfield faithful, he quickly clarified that it was “not in my hands” and “Nobody in the club has talked to me about contracts.”

Liverpool have previously shown their loyalty to Salah when they not awarded his last contract in 2022 but also rejected £150m for his services from Saudi-based Al-Ittihad the following summer.

Where does this leave everyone though with the sand fast running out in the Salah contract extension hour glass?

Current manager Arne Slot, who in his first season at Anfield has relied heavily on Salah to power both Liverpool’s Premier League and Uefa Champions League aspirations, has been impressed by the work ethic of the 32-year-old.

“What I see is a top professional, not only what you see on the pitch but he comes in early, works so hard on his body and he works even at home as well,” Slot said. 

“If I see how much work he puts in over here and then to do so much extra at home, I think he has found the balance to get the best out of himself. That is what comes with experience and playing games at the highest level.”

It is for this reason that I feel the powers-that-be at Liverpool have to find a way to keep Salah at Liverpool for a few more years. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to depart Liverpool for the bright lights of Real Madrid, and hopefully not Virgil van Dijk, too, but under no circumstances can Liverpool afford the man with the lightning speed, magic feet and deadly eye for goal head down the exit tunnel.

And yes, I am saying that wearing my Reds scarf, jersey and hat!