Controversial TV anchor Richard Keys believes Mohamed Salah will not be at Liverpool beyond the end of next season. Salah's new contract was announced last week as months of speculation over his future ended with the Egyptian committing his future to the club until 2027.
Salah is enjoying a fantastic season, registering 32 goals and 23 assists, so Reds fans were understandably concerned about the possibility of him leaving on a free transfer in the summer.
The prospect of that happening has now been quashed, but Keys theorized that Salah actually committed his future to the club several weeks ago.
The basis for that theory is that Salah's output has dipped in recent weeks (he is without a goal from open play in eight games), and Keys believes the 32-year-old's goal drought was triggered by him putting pen to paper on a new deal at Anfield.
"I think he signed this deal six weeks ago because so many players sign a new deal and their form goes this way (points down)." Keys said on beIN SPORTS. "I think he’s gone in 12 months. That’s good business if that’s the case."
Speaking as his new deal was announced last week, Salah said: “Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.
“It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.
“I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies.”
Salah was one of three key players whose contracts were due to expire on June 30, and the other two players' futures are yet to be officially resolved.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, though, is widely expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Virgil van Dijk is expected to join Salah in committing his future to Liverpool. An announcement on Van Dijk's new deal, which is also expected to tie him to the club until 2027, should come this week.
While Van Dijk neglected to give a concrete update on his future after Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham, he did speak about his love for the club.
"I'm very proud today to captain my 100th game for Liverpool. It was an emotional day because of the Hillsborough anniversary," Van Dijk told Sky Sports. "The main focus was to get three points and get us close to all of our dreams, not only us as players and staff, but everyone who is connected to Liverpool FC. Everyone knows how much I love this club, and let's see what next week will look like."
