Talks over critical Liverpool deal nearing completion, with Klopp to secure signature that’ll make Salah grin
The agent of a Liverpool star critical to bringing the best out of Mohamed Salah has revealed talks over a new deal are ramping up, and a broad date on when the extension will be announced has surfaced.
Liverpool’s season thus far can only be characterised as a huge disappointment. The Reds are out of both domestic cups and have a mountain to climb if they’re to overturn the 10-point gap to fourth spot.
The Champions League could offer respite, though a brutal Round of 16 draw against Real Madrid is just as likely to end in disaster.
Among the many issues Jurgen Klopp must fix over the coming months is how to get the best out of Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has cut an increasingly frustrated figure of late and in the absence of Sadio Mane and the injured Roberto Firmino, has seen his numbers drop off.
Indeed, Salah has scored just three times in Liverpool’s nine matches post-World Cup. He’s failed to find the net in each of Liverpool’s last four league matches too. The Reds have picked up just four points from a possible 12 in that stretch.
Klopp recently admitted his superstar forward is missing playing alongside Mane and Firmino in what was once the most dangerous and well-oiled front three in world football.
But while Mane, now of Bayern Munich, won’t be returning, Firmino will. The Brazilian has been sidelined with a calf injury since December, though Klopp recently confirmed he’s in line to return to first-team training in mid-February.
Beyond that, Firmino’s long-term future at Anfield remains uncertain given he’s out of contract in the summer.
The Reds favourite is understood to be keen on extending his stay. Klopp too wants to retain his trusted lieutenant, and per the player’s agent, they’re both likely to get their wish.
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Firmino talks going “really good”; extension date hinted
Speaking to Sky Germany, Firmino’s agent, Roger Wittman, said: “It’s a very long relationship between Roberto and Liverpool. Roberto feels good.
“At the moment we’re in a great exchange and in February we’ll probably know where the journey is going.
“But Roberto also has to have a say in order to reach an agreement with Liverpool. We’re on the right track. We’re having really good talks with Liverpool. They’re a superbly positioned club.”
If Wittman is correct, Reds fans will wake up to news of Firmino’s contract extension one morning later this month.
That’ll be received warmly by the vast bulk of Liverpool’s fanbase, and according to Klopp, by Mohamed Salah too.
Elsewhere, Liverpool still have decisions to make on the futures of Adrian, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Like Firmino, the quartet have all entered the final six months of their deals.
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