'Me and Mo speak a lot' - Ian Rush speaks out after Mohamed Salah Liverpool contract 'disappointment'
Liverpool legend Ian Rush says everyone at the club wants Mohamed Salah to stay
Liverpool may be playing Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday but the build-up to the huge Champions League match has been somewhat overshadowed by comments made by the player who could well decide it. That player, of course, being Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian superstar maintained his magnificent form by scoring twice to ensure Liverpool came from behind to win 3-2 at Southampton on Sunday and move eight points clear at the summit of the Premier League.
The Reds also top the Champions League group stage and are through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with Salah playing a massive part in that.
The 32-year-old's decisive second-half double at St Mary's hauled him up to 223 goals in 367 appearances for the Reds, which means he is within just five strikes of the late, great Billy Liddell, who netted 228 times in 534 games and is fourth in the club's all-time top-scorers list.
Leading the way with a return that even Salah will struggle to match is Ian Rush, who remains way out in front with 346 goals in 660 appearances.
Rush, who won 15 major trophies during his time at Anfield, is close to the club's modern-day goalscoring great and has reacted to the interview he conducted after the Southampton victory.
With Salah's Liverpool contract set to expire in the summer, he told reporters including our own Paul Gorst: "Well, we are almost in December and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club, (so) I'm probably more out than in.
"You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven't received anything yet about my future.
"I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see. Of course (no offer is disappointing), yeah.
"I'm not going to retire soon so I'm just playing, focusing on the season and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed but we will see.
"I'm very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I'm just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible. I'm just doing my best because this is who I am and I try to give it all for myself and for the club. We will see what happens next."
Reds owners FSG have not made a habit of offering long-term deals to players in their 30s and, with Salah set to turn 33 before the start of next season, plus his status as the highest earner in Arne Slot's squad, an agreement was never expected to be reached swiftly.
However, it is understood that there is a willingness on both sides to reach an agreeable conclusion, with discussions that are said to be positive and constructive ongoing with Ramy Abbas, the Colombian lawyer who has represented Salah throughout his near eight-year career on Merseyside.
And Rush was asked about the situation at The Northwest Football Awards 2024 in Manchester on Monday night. The 63-year-old told the Mail: "Me and Mo speak quite a lot.
"People talk about whether he’s staying or going but I just enjoy watching him on the pitch. He’s a joy to watch. You think he hasn’t done anything for 20 then he pops up with a goal or two.
"You can’t buy that. That’s special and he’s a special player. Everyone wants him to stay."
Reds boss Slot will no doubt be asked about Salah's comment at his press conference to preview the Real Madrid match. The press conference takes place at 3.30pm today (Tuesday, November 26).