The Arne Slot penitentiary has become a major buzzword across social media over the last few weeks. And if managers and teams alike are being sent to the Dutchman’s prison, then Mohamed Salah is in with no doubt the warden.
He has been the star man for Liverpool this season. His goals and assists have been driving the side to the top of both the Premier League and Champions League. He isn’t just leading the side with numbers; he’s putting in the performances as well. It is fitting to think of him as Slot’s “warden.” He was given a task by a higher-up—his head coach—to keep other teams at bay or behind the bars of the “Arne Slot penitentiary,” if you must. He is producing results at an exceptional level.
However, much of the talk about the Egyptian this season has been about his current contract situation, with fans and pundits speculating on his future come the end of the season. Given his age, his history with the club, the impact he has had, the wages he is on, and the form he finds himself in, it is natural that the conversation always comes back to his contract.
Salah seems eager to discuss it too—his comments after the Manchester United 3-0 win and his social media post after the 2-1 win against Brighton seem to suggest so.
So, let’s talk about Mohamed Salah some more.
Mohamed Salah: A Chronic Record Chaser
At 32 years of age, Mohamed Salah is still very much a Ferrari in peak condition. The Egyptian looks faster, stronger, and more determined than ever. Not only has he been his ordinary self in front of goal, but his playmaking abilities, which have been improving over the last few seasons, seem to be hitting their final form too.
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He is currently the best player in the world.
This season, Mohamed Salah has become the first player for a top five European League team to reach double figures in goals (10) and assists (10). And he has reached double figures for these categories in his last four seasons at Anfield.
When it comes to players who have scored and assisted in the same game, he tops the chart alongside Wayne Rooney, with both forwards completing this feat in 35 games each.
He has now overtaken Thierry Henry in the assists leaderboard in both the Premier League (75 to 74) and the Champions League (17 to 16).
He has reached double figures in goals and assists, the quickest (17 games) in Liverpool history across the last 40 years. Luis Suarez previously held the record with 23 games in 2013/14.
He is outpacing Luis Suarez. In his eight season. At 32 years of age. Now tell me, where are the signs of him slowing down?
Mohamed Salah has made 58 goal contributions since the start of 2023/24. If he is slowing down, then he is still moving at a speed that to the naked eye is not perceivable.
If He Goes, He Goes, But At Least Tempt the Bowman With Dough
When deciding the terms they want to offer Salah, or if they even want to offer him a new deal, the Liverpool hierarchy will need to ask themselves a question: will the No. 11 slow down? Signs seems to suggest he is only picking up speed.
The likelihood of Salah moving to another Premier League side is slim, but the man is a record chaser. It is a situation where you have to say, “Never say never.”
Is a move to Spain likely? Barcelona seem to be moving back towards La Masia and moving away from big money signings. Whereas Real Madrid have just signed Kylian Mbappe and have their eyes firmly on another man in red, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
PSG seemed to have learned from past mistakes of making big money moves, after Lionel Messi’s time was neither a roaring success nor a complete failure. The Egyptian could move back to Italy, but his wages could be a major block. Only one player earns more than he does currently, Dusan Vlahovic (355k per week according to Capology).
So, that leaves us with Saudi Arabia. Mohamed Salah is still in his prime; don’t get that twisted. Does the Liverpool No. 11 want to go to a league that is inferior, one where he can’t play against the best of the best? One where he can’t break records? Nobody can speak for Salah but himself, but you would assume the answer would be no.
Mohamed Salah wants to stay at Liverpool, as much as the Kop faithful want him to do. Get the contract on the table. Mohamed Salah is at the wheel, and he is still driving extremely fast.
