Ex-United player, Roy Keane has said Salah who leads PL scorer’s chart with 16 goals must be retained if The Reds are to remain competitive
By Kebinde Okeowo
Former Man United captain, Roy Keane has urged Liverpool to conclude contract talks with Mohamed Salah before the beginning of next season to avoid losing him to other bitter rivals.
Roy Keane said this while talking to ITV about Liverpools’ most coveted and prized asset, Egypt captain Mohamed Salah.
After suffering defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday night, Salah is keen to quickly return to Liverpool training on Tuesday morning.
Egypt came within touching distance of winning their 8th African Cup of Nations trophy but were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Senegal.
ALSO READ: Riyad Mahrez expecting third child with wife, Taylor Ward
Mane’s spot-kick success meant Salah did not need to take a spot-kick in the shootout, as he was the fifth penalty taker and his goal would not have made a difference.
Salah played 749 minutes of football in AFCON, as all of Egypts’ knockout games went to extra time, and that would have taken a toll on his fitness.
The Reds coped very well in the absence of Salah and Mane, winning five games without the pair and drawing once, they also progressed into the Carabao Cup during that time.
In addition to that, they reduced the gap between them and Manchester City to 9 points and now have the opportunity to further reduce it to 6 points if they win their game at hand.
However, it remains to be seen how much longer Liverpool fans will be singing Salah’s name at Anfield as the Egyptian is yet to renew his contract, with talks dragging out over the past few months.
Roy Keane while speaking to ITV said Liverpool will have to ensure Salah signs a new deal as soon as possible if they do not want to lose their most potent striker to another team.
He went on to suggest they will need to ensure the contract talks are over before the start of next season when they will have little or no say in the matter.
Roy Keane said: “He’s 29 but the modern player, they’re machines I don’t think it’s no issue. From Liverpool’s point of view, it’s business they’ve got to try and negotiate.
” You’ve got to get him signed on, he’s one of the greatest players in the world, you’ve got to get it done. If it goes into next season you really start to worry but try and get it done and dusted.
“It might be because he wants a new experience. But he’s said a number of times he’s happy here, he’s loved here, but Liverpool have got to try and get him signed you can’t just let players like that go out of the door, particularly on a free.”
Liverpool will be hoping the duo made it back in time for the fixture against Leicester City, especially with Mane billed to meet the Senegalese president Macky Sall on Tuesday before returning to England.