'Liverpool won't be title contenders without Salah' | Mark Lawrenson

Fresh from yet more disappointment inflicted at the hands of Senegal, Liverpool's Egyptian king Mohammed Salah is yet to sign a new contract with just 15 months remaining on his current deal. 

Salah has now lost to Sadio Mane’s Senegal side in both the African Cup of Nations final and the crucial World Cup qualifier. 

Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland centre-half Mark Lawrenson joined OTB AM to discuss the precarious contract situation of the Premier League top scorer. 

“I think he’ll walk away,” said Lawrenson. 

“Obviously both parties have been talking for a long time, but there's not been an agreement. I just get this feeling that he’ll go somewhere else for one last payday.”

Salah will turn 30 in June, and his next contract is expected to be one of his last opportunities to earn wages equivalent to that of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne or Lionel Messi. 

If Salah was to leave Liverpool, Lawrenson doesn’t reckon they will be title contenders. 

“They aren’t. Liverpool will feel that he will finish the season really strongly, but as opposed to the new season then it's completely different,” said Lawrenson. 

“He’s been brilliant since the first day he walked into the football club, but I’m not quite sure of the agent. Every time there seems to be a meeting, he tweets about something. That worries me.”

“I’d be very surprised if Liverpool are paying him £450,000 pounds a week. That sets a precedent because then all the big stars are going to be knocking on the door saying ‘well hold on a minute.’ I think it causes a lot of problems internally,” said Lawrenson. 

Will Salah stay or will he go?⚽️ @MTLawrenson joined OTB AM this morning to discuss whether the Egyptian King will stay at Anfield or not. @GilletteUK | #EffortlessFlow

FULL CONVERSATION: https://t.co/O8EjBtGb9F pic.twitter.com/zNh1DIbCcy

— Off The Ball (@offtheball) April 1, 2022

Having already netted 20 Premier League goals this season despite missing a month due to international duty, he is way out in front of his Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota (13) in the goalscoring charts.

Colombian winger Luis Diaz arrived in January costing £37.5 million pound plus add-ons and has already become a fans favourite. Skilful, dynamic, balanced and blessed with electric pace, the 25 year-old has all the attributes to replicate Salah’s impact at the club. 

Liverpool host Watford on Saturday lunchtime with both Salah and Mane expected to play after their recent battle midweek. The opportunity to go ahead of Manchester City before they play at 3pm away to Burnley will surely add to the occasion before the top two meet Sunday week.