“Real issue”- Man City superstar blamed for Mo Salah’s contract standoff

Mark Lawrenson blames Jack Grealish for Liverpool having Mohamed Salah contract complications

Mohamed Salah is on a contract that expires in 2023 at Liverpool, and club legend Mark Lawrenson believes Manchester City signing Jack Grealish has everything to do with him not extending his deal.

Speaking on behalf of 888sport (h/t Manchester Evening News), he claimed that having Salah is a privilege for the Reds and that he guarantees goals. However, he believes that Grealish signing for the Cityzens changed the Egyptian entourage’s perception about how much he is worth.

“… the real issue began when City signed Jack Grealish for £100m and everybody knows his wages. Mo’s agent probably then thought, well if Grealish is going there for £100m then my boy – who is a much better player and scores tons of goals – should at the very least be on what Grealish is.”

Lawrenson, who played for Liverpool between 1981 and 1988, acknowledged that the equation regarding the wage structure is different at the Etihad. The Englishman moved to Man City in a £100million move and is paid between £200,000 to £300,000-a-week in wages.

Where next for Mo Salah?

Salah has himself committed his future to Liverpool at least for the next season. But instead of solving issues, it has created another dilemma- should LFC cash in on him or let him leave for free next year?

The latter is a real possibility if he doesn’t renew his deal. He is one of the most important players for Jurgen Klopp and his numbers are right up there with the very best in the game.

Having shared the Golden Boot trophy and won the Playmaker Award in the Premier League this season, Salah has shown that he is very much in his prime years despite turning 30 next month.

If the Reds and FSG have a concern about not wanting to put a player who is past 30 years of age on a bumper contract, then it is understandable to some extent. But Mo is yet to show any signs of slowing down.

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The former AS Roma star’s entourage would know that Man City and Liverpool operate differently when it comes to their wage structures. Whether sensibility prevails and Mo signs a new deal at LFC remains to be seen- because, in all honesty, this is the perfect match for him and us.