Former Tottenham and Blackburn Goalkeeper Paul Robinson have revealed that Sadio Mane’s departure has given Mohamed Salah leverage in his contract negotiations with Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah has one year left on his Liverpool contract. The two parties have been negotiating a new deal since the beginning of the year. The Egyptian international is reported to be demanding £400,000 a week, which is double what he is earning now.
Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino formed one of the deadly front three in World football helping Liverpool win the Champions League, The FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and their first Premier League title in 30 years.
The trio has scored 338 goals for Liverpool since the 2017/2018 season. Sadio Mane had left Liverpool for Bayern Munich in a £35.1 million deal and Robert Firmino had lost his position to Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool has signed Darwin Nunez for a club record of £100 million as Sadio Mane’s replacement. Liverpool Legend Jamie Carragher has already predicted Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Daiz as Liverpool’s possible front three next season.
What did Paul Robinson say about Mohamed Salah’s future?
When the former England Goalkeeper was quizzed if Mohamed Salah has leverage over Liverpool in his contract negotiation, Paul Robinson replied via Football insider: “Definitely.
“I still cannot understand the Mane deal. He was at one of the biggest clubs in the world. One of the best-supported clubs in the world and was challenging for the Premier League and the Champions League. I just cannot get my head around the deal.
“It gives Salah more leverage in his contract negotiations, that’s for sure. Liverpool cannot afford to lose both of them in a short space of time.
“Yes, they have Diaz, [Diogo] Jota, and Nunez but that would be a complete transformation of the front three. All of a sudden, from being a team that is challenging for every trophy Liverpool could become a team in transition.
“The club cannot afford to let Salah go.”
Meanwhile, Noel Whelan believes Mohamed Salah will have a great season despite contract issues.
The former Leeds United forward said: “I think he’ll just get on with the job if he is still there come to the start of the season.
“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 is 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.
“I’m sure there’s going to be more successful for Liverpool, given the signings they’ve made already this year.”
Mohamed Salah has made 254 appearances for Liverpool scoring 156 goals.
