sport news Liverpool's Mohamed Salah conundrum - is it the right time to cash in on the ... trends now
It's the curious case of Mohamed Salah: Super striker, talisman, legend but Liverpool’s Egyptian King, on the bench on Sunday, is not getting any younger. Cash in or kick on? Walking along the banks of the River Thames through Bishop’s Park on the way to Fulham on Sunday, one fan was overheard asking, ‘Do you reckon they think it’s time to cash in on Mo?’
The conversation was sparked after Salah, 31, was rested - or dropped if you want to take the glass-half-empty view - from Liverpool’s XI at Craven Cottage. While it might sound a ludicrous debate, it is a talking point that has stalked pub chats over the course of the season.
Soon, the Salah conundrum will have to be an issue addressed by the top brass at Anfield and in Boston, including new sporting director Richard Hughes and returning CEO of Football, Michael Edwards. With just a year left on his deal, the forward’s future needs solving.
To most fans, it is probably an easy solution. Why on earth would you sell your talisman? Why would you move on the man who, despite injuries this season, is still the top scorer and leading provider of assist? Why would you let go of your most marketable asset?
There is also the argument that, like in the Curious Case of Benjamin Button referenced earlier, Salah respects his body in a way that could see him follow Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in playing at the top level until his late 30s, which would give him another five or so years.
Liverpool might have their best opportunity to receive a huge sum for Mohamed Salah this summer
The Reds forward looks after his body in a way that could see him play deep into his 30s like Cristiano Ronaldo
The forward is still his side's leading goal scorer and assist provider and the Reds' best player
But speaking of Ronaldo, it brings us on to the elephant in the room: Saudi Arabia and £150million. In the mad world of transfer trolley-dashes and Chelsea chucking £100m around like it is loose change, it feels necessary to emphasise just how much money £150m is.
That point is further strengthened by the fact Salah will be 32 at the start of next season. Mail Sport reported in early August how the Saudis were preparing an eye-watering offer for Salah last summer. It was met with laughs and vitriol, though the reaction might be different a year on.
That offer took a while to prepare and did not come through until the last days of the transfer window. Liverpool sources had been flat out
