Liverpool manager Arne Slot remained tight-lipped on the future of Mohamed Salah following the Reds' 3-0 beating of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Merseyside giants continued their perfect start to life under Slot in the Premier League against their bitter rivals, as the Dutchman became the first Reds boss in 49 years to win their first league game against Man United.
No Liverpool men's manager since Bob Paisley in 1975 had achieved that feat, but after a few early minutes of Man United domination, the Reds tore their Mancunian foes to shreds.
Luis Diaz - another man in form - netted twice in the first half courtesy of two assists from Salah, who inevitably got in on the act himself in the second 45 for his 10th Old Trafford goal.
The 32-year-old is now just the second man to score 10 goals at a single Premier League away ground since 1992 after Alan Shearer - who did so at Leeds United's Elland Road - as well as netting in his last seven matches away to Man United.
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Slot admits to "a lot of ifs" over Salah situation
However, the Egypt international's on-field feats soon paled into insignificance following his post-match interview with Sky Sports News, where he suggested that this season will be his last in Liverpool colours.
It is the worst-kept secret in football that Salah has entered the last year of his contract with the Merseyside giants, and he claimed that he currently expects this season to be his final one with the club, who have not engaged in talks over a new deal yet.
Slot was understandably asked about Salah's bombshell claim in his post-match press conference, and while he admitted that there was a lot of uncertainty over the winger's future, he did not delve deeper into the matter.
"It's a lot of 'ifs' but at this moment he's one of ours and I'm really, really happy with him being one of ours," the Evening Standard quotes the Dutchman as saying.
"He plays really well. I don't talk about contracts for players, but I can talk for hours about how Mo played today. But are you interested in that?"
Should Liverpool give Salah a new contract?
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Three games, three goals and three assists - an aesthetically pleasing and astounding start to life under Slot for Liverpool's wing wizard Salah, who at 32 is still lighting up Premier League stadiums for fun.
However, the former Chelsea and Roma attacker is still the number one target of the Saudi Pro League, who have already failed with one £150m bid for Salah; Al-Ittihad offered that astronomical amount back in 2023.
If Salah was to leave for nothing in 2025 after Liverpool passed up the chance to make a nine-figure profit, that would represent a huge humiliation for Fenway Sports Group, regardless of the attacker's on-field feats.
The £10m bargain signing of Federico Chiesa, on the other hand, was a huge transfer victory for FSG, assuming that the Italian can stay fit and eventually fill the Salah void on the right.
Nevertheless, even if it is just for the sake of protecting his value, Salah has more than earned at least a one-year extension at Liverpool, and either a two or three-year agreement would be more reflective of his status as one of the Reds' star performers.
Ben Knapton
