Liverpool told they "already know" when Salah will go after succession plan blow

22 November 2023 , 10:39

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Liverpool told they "already know" when Salah will go after succession plan blow

Liverpool favourite John Barnes believes his former club already know the score when it comes to the future of Mohamed Salah.

The Reds talisman, 31, only signed a new three-year deal in 2022 but was the subject of a £150million bid from Saudia Arabia in the final hours of the summer transfer window. Further interest in his services is not anticipated in January, however, it is expected he will be targeted again by ambitious Saudi Pro League clubs at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Salah has ignored the outside noise and made an electric start to the season, plundering 10 goals in just 12 Premier League matches - and Barnes is convinced that he will continue to light up Anfield beyond this season.

Speaking at a Quality Street sustainability campaign this week, Barnes said of Salah: "We know the situation with Mo Salah, he's a hero for Muslims all over the world, and he'll be a hero in Saudi Arabia. But he's said he wants to stay at Liverpool for the remainder of his contract. I'm sure that opportunity for Saudi Arabia will arise, as for when, we don't know.

"I expect him to stay at Liverpool for the next two years, if it changes, then it changes. He didn't go because he wanted to stay and Liverpool wanted to keep him. He'll be 32, 33 at the end of his contract so I don't think (him going) is for the immediate future - in January or next summer."

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While Barnes is expecting the Egypt international to stay put, Liverpool remain braced for a world-record bid and have already been working on a tentative succession plan in the form of Bayern Munich forward Leroy Sane.

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John Barnes believes Mohamed Salah will see out his current Liverpool contract (2023 Liverpool FC)

Mirror Football revealed last month that Sane, 27, had been identified as Liverpool's primary target should they lose Salah's services in the coming months. Finances would not be a problem given the riches they'd bank from any deal for their talisman - but the presence of Sane's former club is likely to complicate proceedings.

According to German outlet Bild, Manchester City are also observing Sane's current situation in Munich and would be interested in bringing the winger back to the Etihad after selling him to the Bundesliga giants back in 2020.

Much like Salah, Sane has made an impressive start to the 2023/24 campaign, plundering eight goals and laying on six assists in just 11 league games for Thomas Tuchel's side. He made 135 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 35 goals across a four-year period.

Dan Marsh