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Gareth Bale says Mo Salah contract comments won't affect Liverpool team-mates - 'Making noise to get more money'

ByAlasdair Mackenzie

Published 27/11/2024 at 20:46 GMT

Former Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale joined the TNT Sports punditry team ahead of Liverpool's blockbuster UEFA Champions League clash with the Spanish giants on Wednesday. Discussing Mohamed Salah's comments about not receiving a contract offer, Bale said the winger is "just making noise to get more money" and that his team-mates will not be bothered by it.

'Making noise to get more money' - Salah situation assessed by Bale

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Gareth Bale is not concerned that Mohamed Salah is set to depart Liverpool amid a contract dispute, instead believing he is "just making noise to get a bit more money".

The Egyptian winger hit the headlines this week after saying he feels "more out than in" at Anfield having been left "disappointed" at not being offered a new deal.

Salah, who has 12 goals and 10 assists to his name this season for the Premier League leaders, is out of contract in the summer.

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But Liverpool defender Andy Robertson insisted to TNT Sports that the players are unconcerned by the situation and that it won’t affect the team.

Bale agreed with that assessment while joining the TNT Sports team for Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday.

"We never brought those things into conversation, it’s always about training or general life," he said.

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"I can’t imagine that’s going to affect anyone, it’s going to be sorted out upstairs with his agent.

"I’m sure he’s just making noise to just get a bit more money to be honest!"

When asked by Rio Ferdinand if he ever did the same thing, Bale replied: "Well, yeah!"

Fellow TNT Sports expert Ferdinand was in agreement, insisting that Salah had gone about things in the right way.

"The big thing is he hasn’t been out of order. He hasn’t been disrespectful; he’s just stated some facts," Ferdinand said.

"As team-mates, that’s all you care about. Is he still with us? Mo Salah is scoring goals week in, week out.

"He wants to win here and it sounds like he wants to stay – but for a bit more money."

Bale – Real Madrid ‘expect to win’ Champions League

Bale also explained how Real Madrid players "expect to win" the Champions League, insisting they will "not worry about this part of the season" despite a slow start.

The reigning European champions travelled to Liverpool after a shock 3-1 defeat at home to AC Milan left them with just six points from four games at the start of their title defence.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men also trail leaders Barcelona by four points in La Liga, but Bale said a sluggish start does not matter to a team that always saves its best football for the biggest moments.

"It’s what Real Madrid do. When they’re really in a tough situation, they normally step up," Bale said.

"It’s a big club thing, it’s the mentality in the changing room. They will come here focused on themselves and think they can win like in any game."

'He's still got it' - Ferdinand saves his fellow pundits from an errant ball

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He added: "Being there, you learn very quickly that we don’t worry about this part of the season. Come February, April, right as you’re leading into where the trophies are, that’s when we normally step up and hit form.

"I know in the changing room the manager will keep everyone calm. He’s got enough experience, especially in this competition. They will be ready to go."

Ferdinand then asked Bale if it feels different to play a Champions League campaign with the 15-time champions.

"There’s an expectation," Bale said.

"You know that every Real Madrid fan expects you to win this, you expect to win it. It’s just in their DNA."

McManaman ‘expected seamless transition’ at Liverpool

Real Madrid’s opponents Liverpool have started the season in stunning form, racing eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table and winning their first four Champions League games.

Their start is all the more impressive given the big summer change when Arne Slot replaced long-time manager Jurgen Klopp.

TNT Sports pundit Steve McManaman said he expected a smooth transition on Merseyside, but admitted the Dutchman’s impact has exceeded expectations.

"I thought that it would be seamless to be honest. I didn’t expect the results to go as well as they have done," McManaman said.

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"I expected a blip every now and then. The fact it’s only happened to Nottingham Forest and Arsenal away, that is very surprising.

"The fact they’ve been so dominant in the league, they’ve had a bit of fortune with other teams dropping points, but he’s been excellent.

"I thought the sporting directors would bring in the type of manager who would match the team. They were not going to bring in a manager who was going to change the starting eleven, change the way they play or the formation.

"The team last year were excellent up until April, they were vying for all the trophies. So I didn’t expect them to collapse just because a manager has gone.

"You know that if a manager goes out the door and someone comes in, you don’t automatically throw in the towel. As a professional, you want to win every single game and that’s what Liverpool do. But the level of results has surprised me."