Mo Salah takes dig at Trent Alexander-Arnold after committing future to Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool and the Egyptian has made it clear that he wants to win more trophies with the club in the coming years
Mohamed Salah says he committed his future to Liverpool to lift more silverware with the squad in a stark contrast to team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
On Friday morning, Liverpool announced that Salah had penned his new contract, signaling his intention to continue spearheading Arne Slot's side next season.
As the first of the Liverpool trio whose contracts were winding down to announce his decision, Salah's update on his future lifts some uncertainty within the ranks, with both Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk's decisions still unclear. While Van Dijk is expected to sign a fresh two-year deal with the Reds, Alexander-Arnold seems set to depart on a free transfer, likely to join Real Madrid.
Salah is enjoying one of his greatest seasons of his career, scoring 32 goals and registering 22 assists in 45 outings. With Liverpool chasing Premier League glory, the Egyptian ace is convinced the team's prospects shine bright under Slot's stewardship.
"I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football," declared Salah. His trophy cabinet since arriving from Roma in 2017 boasts the Premier League title, a Champions League, an FA Cup, the Club World Cup and two Carabao Cups.
Speaking to club media, the forward outlined his next achievements he's eyeing at Anfield. Salah said on his goalscoring record: "It's great but I'm more proud when we win team trophies because this is the most important thing. When you win something with the team and are scoring goals and you are involved, that's what people remember. Just individual awards without winning anything doesn't feel great."
He offered a similar response regarding his pursuit of the Premier League's golden boot: "I'm just a good winger and I try to do my job," he modestly said. "As long as we're winning games and are close to winning trophies, that's the most important thing."
Salah is only four goals off going fourth in the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorers. While he recognised the accomplishment, he reiterated Liverpool come first: "Of course. To be fair, it's great. But, again, when you are scoring goals and you feel like you are involved in most of the games and the team is close to winning big trophies, that's an unbelievable feeling."
Liverpool supporters have compared Salah's sentiment to Trent Alexander-Arnold's comments from October during a Sky Sports interview. The 26-year-old had to pick between another Champions League title, a national trophy with England, taking on the Liverpool captaincy, or winning the Ballon d'Or, and he opted for personal glory over collective success.
"Winning a World Cup with England – that would be immense and change the game, but I'd say win a Ballon d'Or, because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it," he stated, adding: "I believe it. Some people may call me deluded, but I believe I can."
Reflecting on how he wants to be viewed in 20 years time, Alexander-Arnold responded: "A legend of football. Someone who changed the game – that's the main thing that I have: 'don't play the game, change the game'.
"That's the legacy I aim for: to be the greatest right-back in football history, if I'm honest. I'm aware there have been many before me, but I've got to aim high and that's where I believe my potential can take me."