“Step In The Right Direction…” – Paul Gorst On ‘Ongoing’ Liverpool Contract Situation | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was not happy with his side’s performance against Girona earlier this week, despite the club guaranteeing their qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

It was a case of ‘job done’ for the Reds, who conceded several chances during their 1-0 victory in Spain, although the returning Alisson Becker was perhaps busier than Slot anticipated. The club have now avoided a potentially tricky two-legged playoff game and could rest players for the remaining two fixtures if they choose to do so.

Mo Salah was once again the match-winner, scoring his 16th goal of the season. Late last week it was revealed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein that LFC have made an opening offer to extend the Egyptian King’s stay at Anfield. Salah is free to sign a contract with a foreign side come January 1st and has put pressure on the club with his recent comments to the media.

On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked the Liverpool Echo’s LFC correspondent Paul Gorst for his thoughts on the Salah update.

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Paul said:

“I think the interesting thing about this one is that it’s obviously an incredibly well-sourced piece, given it is David Ornstein.

“It’s a step in the right direction for supporters who want to see a resolution to these contracts, and it’s something we’ve been speaking about for six months now, still ongoing, still part of the debate around Liverpool, outside of the actual football stuff.

“I think the fact that it’s Liverpool’s opening contract offer suggests that it’s not something that is close, it’s not something that’s been communicated to me.

“It’s a step forward, but it’s not something that makes me think it’s going to be done this week or anything like that.

“If you offer something that’s viewed as insulting, you’re almost setting yourself back further in the difference between what you’re hoping to meet in the middle.

“The fact that he is receptive to what is forthcoming from the club should be cause for, maybe not celebration, but certainly cause for the club to come forward with what they think Mo is after.

“If a formal proposal is landing on the table of Rami Abbas and Mo Salah, then perhaps maybe they’re not too far away.

“From reading David’s piece that we’ve just talked about, I think the language used around it suggests to me that it’s not imminent, but it’s a good step in the right direction.”

REDMEN REACTS

As one of the most respected football journalists around, it is unlikely that David Ornstein’s article is based on pure speculation. Given that Mo Salah’s interactions with the media – beginning in the aftermath of the Manchester United game up until the recent comments to the press pack – suggest that he is intent on staying at Liverpool, perhaps this story could be cause for celebration for fans. The club keep their cards very close to their chest on such matters, and would not have let the news of the offer leak unless they were convinced it was a reasonable one that should be taken seriously by Salah’s camp. With the Egyptian as vital as ever in terms of goal contributions, a parting of the ways come June always seemed premature. Hopefully, Mo can give us an early Christmas present by signing soon!