Mohamed Salah’s best friend and ex-team-mate Dejan Lovren lifts the lid on what he REALLY thinks about Liverpool contract stand-off as he nears the exit

Mohamed Salah’s close friend and former Liverpool team-mate Dejan Lovren has shared his view on the Egyptian’s ongoing contract deadlock at Anfield. 

Salah’s future with the Premier League leaders is shrouded with uncertainty as no contract extension has yet been struck between the club and player, who could leave for nothing when his Reds deal expires in the summer.

Along with the in-form forward, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season.

Despite a stunning form this season with 21 goals and 13 assists in 23 Premier League games, Salah’s deal remains a major talking point.

Lovren, one of his close friends and former team-mates, opened up on the Egyptian’s contract situation this week – admitting he is ‘closer to leaving than staying’.

In an interview with WinWin, the defender revealed that he thinks Liverpool have not shown Salah enough respect throughout their negotiations.

Dejan Lovren has revealed that he think Mohamed Salah ‘is closer to leaving than staying’

The duo spent six years together at Anfield until 2020, when the Croatian moved to Russia 

Salah’s deal is expiring despite him enjoying a superb season so far with 34 goal contributions

He said: ‘Salah believes that there are things missing from the club’s side, and I hope it will be resolved soon. But the current reality is that he is closer to leaving than staying. 

‘I came to the conclusion that the club doesn’t respect him enough, or not as much as he thinks he deserves, but that’s another side of the conversation, it’s all about what’s going on behind the scenes. He loves Liverpool, by the way he loves Liverpool a lot, and he wants to stay, and that’s the most important part, maybe he sees himself retiring there.’

Lovren’s claims come after Salah hinted multiple times that this could be his last season in the Reds’ shirt after he outlined his desire to win another Premier League title.

Last month, the 32-year-old forward highlighted again that despite five months left on his deal, there is no progress in his negotiations with the club.

Even Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who is enjoying his first-ever campaign with Salah, praised the player, suggesting that he deserves to be named an extraordinary footballer.

After spending six years together playing for the Reds, former team-mate Lovren defended the Egyptian, saying he wanted him to stay.

‘Everyone wants him to stay, and I personally want that too. I called him the other day and said: “Mo, you have to think about yourself. Look at everything I’ve done for this club and what I’m still capable of doing.”

Previously, Arne Slot praised the Liverpool forward and labelled him an extraordinary footballer

Lovren has advised Salah to ‘think about yourself’ after the Egyptian revealed that there is no progress in his negotiations with the club – with several elite teams interested in his signature

Salah and Lovren remained in contact since the defender’s departure to Zenit St Petersburg in 2020. 

The duo developed a strong relationship during six years spent together at Anfield, with the Croatian even congratulating the 32-year-old after his 100th goal for Liverpool back in 2021.

Now, the Egyptian has 237 goals in 383 games for the Reds, placing himself in fourth place on the club’s highest-goalscorer table.

The Croatian explained that the friendship started with their shared passion for coffee after Salah asked him if he would like the drink at an airport.

Lovren now plays in the Greek side PAOK. The former Southampton and Lyon defender made seven appearances this season, but is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

When quizzed whether Saudi Pro League might be a future option for Salah, he said: ‘If he leaves, yes, why not?! As you know, the Saudi league is starting to become more competitive.

‘I think if Mo goes there, he will be one of the biggest stars, and it will be a huge marketing boom for the league, and he will definitely attract some fans with him, so let’s wait and see what happens.’ 

During the winter transfer window, it was revealed that Saudi Arabia’s chiefs were keen to bring the player, offering the player a staggering £65million deal across two seasons.

Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh has signalled Al-Hilal’s intent to sign Salah after Neymar’s exit

In January, Alalshikh shared a picture of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit on his Facebook page 

Furthermore, Turki Alalshikh – the Saudi General Entertainment Authority chairman – shared a picture of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit on his social media pages in December.

The league champions have shown clear interest, especially after terminating Neymar’s contract – who later joined his boyhood club Santos.

Should the Egyptian decide to complete the move, he could join former European football stars such as Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.