Carragher Labels Salah ‘Selfish’ Over Public Contract Disappointment | OneFootball

Salah’s Contract Saga Draws Carragher’s Criticism

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has branded Mohamed Salah “selfish” following the forward’s public dissatisfaction with the club’s failure to offer him a new contract. With his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, Salah’s comments have sparked debate among fans and pundits alike.

Salah’s Comments and Carragher’s Reaction

After Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Southampton on Sunday, Salah revealed he is “probably more out than in” at the club, admitting that no fresh terms have been presented. The Egyptian international, who leads Liverpool’s scoring charts with 12 goals this season, played a crucial role in securing the win, which kept the Reds eight points clear at the Premier League summit.

Carragher did not hold back in his assessment, expressing his disappointment on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. “I must say I am very disappointed with Mo Salah,” he stated. “Liverpool have Real Madrid midweek [in the Champions League] and Man City at the weekend. That’s the story right now.”

He continued, “If he keeps putting comments out, his agent puts out cryptic messages, that is selfish. That is thinking about themselves and not the football club.”

Ongoing Talks and Mixed Zone Insight

Liverpool have remained tight-lipped on Salah’s remarks, though a club insider informed BBC Sport that discussions between the club and Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, are ongoing and described as positive.

Photo: IMAGO

Chris Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, viewed Salah’s decision to openly address reporters as a sign of his desire to stay at Anfield. “It wasn’t one of those where Mo Salah was asked to talk, he actually made an approach and wanted to speak to a couple of press guys to get things off his chest,” said the former Blackburn and Chelsea striker. “So in that respect, it says to me that he wants to stay.”

Age and the Gamble for Liverpool

While Salah’s intentions appear clear, Rory Smith of The Athletic highlighted the potential risks for Liverpool when weighing up a new contract for their 32-year-old talisman. “It strikes me that he is making it very clear to the Liverpool fans that he wants to stay and that if he doesn’t end up staying that it’s not really a lack of intent on his part,” Smith noted.

“The problem will be his age. Liverpool will be looking at the vast data set you have of footballers over the last 20, 30 years, which suggests that at some point in your mid-30s your performances do dip. They will wonder whether it is worth committing £300,000 a week or so to a player who might only have another year at this level.

“Or maybe he will have another two years at this level? Or another five or six? That’s the gamble Liverpool have to take.”

Broader Implications for Liverpool

Salah is not the only senior player with an uncertain future. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are also nearing the end of their contracts. However, Carragher emphasised that Liverpool’s primary focus should remain on their immediate goals.

“The most important thing for Liverpool Football Club this season isn’t the future of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Carragher added. “The most important thing is Liverpool winning the Premier League.”

Carragher closed with a powerful reminder of the club’s resilience. “I hope they don’t feel like this club would fall apart if they left. Steven Gerrard left the club and the next manager won the Premier League. Graeme Souness left and Liverpool won the Double. Salah, would we miss him? Of course we would. But Liverpool will move on.”