Mohamed Salah said he’s “disappointed” that Liverpool haven’t offered him a new contract (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty)
Arsenal hero Freddie Ljungberg has branded Jamie Carragher’s comments about Mohamed Salah’s ongoing Liverpool contract saga as “bull****”. Salah’s unresolved contract continues to dominate discussion, with the Reds legend’s deal expiring in the summer.
As things stand, Salah will leave Liverpool as a free agent at the end of the season and can begin talks with clubs abroad in January. The 32-year-old only increased concerns over his departure last month with a brutally honest interview after the 3-2 win over Southampton.
The Egyptian forward openly voiced his “disappointment” at not receiving a new offer from the club, amid reports of interest from Saudi Arabia, and admitted he is “probably more out than in”. That sparked a scathing response from former Liverpool defender Carragher.
He suggested Salah’s public pleas for a new contract aren’t doing the club any favours as they pursue their Premier League and Champions League ambitions. The Sky Sports pundit said: “The most important thing for Liverpool football club this season is not the future of Mo Salah.
“It’s not the future of Virgil van Dijk and it’s not the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The most important thing is Liverpool winning the Premier League.
“That is more important than any of those players, and if he continues to put comments out, or his agent keeps putting tweets out, that’s selfish. That’s thinking about themselves and not the football club.”
Jamie Carragher was critical of Salah recently (Image: PA)
But Arsenal hero and 2003/04 season Invincible Ljungberg has now defended Salah by calling out Carragher’s assessment of the situation. In contrast to him, the Swede claimed it was Liverpool who have been “disrespectful” towards their long-time star.
Speaking on Swedish television, the former Arsenal interim head coach said: “I think that it is very disrespectful on the part of the club. Not as Jamie Carragher is trying to make it out to be – that it is Mo Salah who is disrespectful.
“Sorry, but that’s bull****. If you have a player of that calibre as Salah, if you don’t want to extend with him and he wants to leave – then tell him.
Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg slammed Liverpool’s handling of Salah’s new contract talks (Image: Sky Sports)
“‘We will show you respect, you are too old and want too much. Financially, it doesn’t work for us.’ Salah is saying this because he wants to put pressure on the club to get a new contract. He wants to stay when he does that.”
Salah, meanwhile, made headlines again with a man-of-the-match performance against Manchester City on Sunday, after which he aimed a dig at Carragher. When asked again about his contract situation, Salah admitted: “Honestly, it’s in my head.
“Until now this is the last City game I will play for, so I was just going to enjoy it. The atmosphere was incredible so I will enjoy every second here. Hopefully, we just win the league and will see what will happen.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1983427/Mo-Salah-liverpool-contract-jamie-carragher