Mohamed Salah future latest: Liverpool star has optimism over contract as he declares Anfield wish

Mohamed Salah reportedly feels hopeful of signing a new contract to end the long-running saga over his future at Anfield.

The Egyptian’s stay on Merseyside has proved memorable and full of goals, but there is increasing doubt as to how longer he will be at Liverpool. He is entering the final year of his deal and there is still no concrete word over an extension.

Salah has insisted that he is staying next season. However, that declaration has not offered any long-term security as negotiations continue.

Previous reports have in fact claimed that no meaningful talks over his future have taken place since December.

According to the Liverpool Echo, though, Salah feels hopeful that the Reds can seal a new contract for him.

The 29-year-old feels settled in Liverpool as he prepares to enter his thirties later this month.

Salah’s wage demands and Liverpool’s wage structure have reportedly proved the key sticking points in talks so far.

Figures such as £400,000 per week have emerged in some reports claiming to reveal the Egypt international’s demands.

The Anfield club, though, have supposedly only offered their star man a 15 per cent rise to his current salary. Salah is one of the top earners at Liverpool alongside Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara.

The forward’s situation has become more of an issue amid the doubt over Sadio Mane’s Liverpool future. Like Salah, he is about to enter the final year of his contract.

However, he reportedly wants a new challenge and is ready to move on this summer, with Bayern Munich chasing him.

In any case, Salah has admitted that part of him wants next season to start immediately following the disappointment in the Champions League final.

Salah wants new Liverpool season now

“I cannot express in words how much we wanted to bring that trophy back to Liverpool but in the end we couldn’t,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I cannot thank the fans enough for your support. It has been a very long season but a part of me wishes the next one starts again tomorrow.”

He added on his FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Fans’ Player of the Year awards: “Being recognised by the fans and by the sports journalists in the same season is something special that I will never forget.

“I would, however, give all those personal awards up for a chance at replaying that final, but that is not how football works.”

Contract situation needs sorting

Liverpool brought a halt to negotiations at the turn of the year to allow Salah to focus on his football.

However, now is the time to ramp up those talks. Liverpool are now at risk of losing their star man for free next summer.

And while there is always the prospect of a breakthrough in discussions, the closer he gets towards free agency the more he could begin thinking about leaving.

Carragher urges Liverpool to be stubborn with Salah

Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to be stubborn with Mo Salah and his new contract

Not only that, but he will also receive more and more interest from elsewhere the longer the situation drags on.

Clubs will be able to approach him with offers in January if his situation remains unresolved by then. Liverpool must use the off-season to try and get a new deal sorted, especially with Mane’s exit a real possibility too.