Mohamed Salah, a Liverpool winger, claims he is far away from signing a new contract with the Premier League team.
Salah, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and will be able to negotiate a free transfer with non-English clubs on January 1 when his contract ends.
The Egyptian scored his 20th goal of the season as Liverpool defeated West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium on Sunday, increasing their lead at the top of the league to eight points.
When asked about his future after the triumph, Salah told Sky Sports: “No, we are far away from that [contract], and I don’t want to say anything in the media.”
“All I can think about is Liverpool winning the league, and I want to be a part of it.
“I will try my best to help the team win the trophy. There are a couple more teams creeping up to us, and we need to be focused, humble, and go again.”
Salah, club captain Virgil van Dijk, and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will all be out of contract at the end of the season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is unconcerned about the trio’s ability to sign pre-contract deals with international teams starting on January 1.
“I think I have a lot of control over what they do,” Slot told the audience. “If they’re on a training pitch or in a meeting with me… but if they’re talking about their personal life, I have no control over them.
“I have control to a certain extent over them, from what I expect from them on the pitch, and I’m really pleased to see what Virgil brings, what Trent brings and what Mo (Salah) brings.”
Salah claimed to be “disappointed” that the club had not extended an offer to him earlier in the season.
Salah claimed that he played the match against Pep Guardiola’s team as though it were his final encounter with them following Liverpool’s victory over Manchester City earlier this month.
Danny Murphy, a former midfielder for Liverpool, says he is still certain Salah will stay at Anfield.
Murphy said, “I hope it’s a little bit of gameplay in terms of the negotiations (with Liverpool),” the Match of the Day reporter said.
“Every Liverpool fan wants him to stay, and I have a strong sense that they’ll succeed and he’ll stay.”
They are simply taking their time, which is what happens when large sums of money are involved.
“He is currently Liverpool’s most valuable player. They must have it signed off on.
