“I Didn’t Expect to Stay” – Mohamed Salah Makes Liverpool Contract Revelation | OneFootball

Mo Salah’s Stunning Contract Admission Reveals Liverpool’s High-Stakes Gamble

Mohamed Salah’s revelation that he gave himself only a “10%” chance of staying at Liverpool beyond the 2024/25 season has sent ripples across the football world—and caused more than a few raised eyebrows among Reds supporters.

In his revealing interview with Gary Neville for Sky Sports, Salah stated:

“Based on club history? 10%. I’m not attacking them, but the philosophy of the club, I know how they deal with their players over 30 in the past.”

It’s a surprisingly candid reflection from one of the most pivotal players in modern Liverpool history. Salah, who has delivered an astonishing 33 goals and 23 assists this season, has every right to question why his future was ever in doubt. For a club that had just secured the Premier League title under new boss Arne Slot, the thought of letting such a player go felt unthinkable. And yet, it almost happened.

A Measured Gamble by Liverpool Hierarchy?

Salah elaborated further, offering a glimpse into the extended nature of negotiations:

“It took six months for the negotiations to go really quick, and from January things were getting better and better… I think the club was testing me to see if I could still provide or not!”

While many would argue that a player of Salah’s calibre should never have to prove himself again, Liverpool’s strategy of short-term contracts for players over 30 is well-documented. But Salah and Virgil van Dijk—both in their thirties—broke that mould through world-class consistency.

The club’s reluctance to rush into a long-term deal might seem harsh, but it’s indicative of a cold, calculated structure. And perhaps, after all, that structure did what it was supposed to—extract maximum assurance of value before committing.

Breaking From Tradition: Why Salah’s Deal Matters

This isn’t the first time a Liverpool stalwart faced uncertainty past the age of 30. But Salah’s value, both in footballing terms and commercially, makes him a standout exception. And he knew it.

His own words post-Southampton—“more out than in”—hinted at a growing rift and the possibility of a very public stand-off. Salah’s ability to leverage his status was no accident; it was tactically timed and emotionally potent. Fans rallied behind him, and FSG clearly felt that pressure.

It’s a break from tradition, yes—but an essential one. Giving Salah a two-year extension rewards his unwavering impact, maintains dressing room continuity, and sends a message that exceptional performers will be recognised, regardless of age.

Photo: IMAGO

Contract Extension Symbolises a New Era

What this saga ultimately highlights is not conflict, but transition. With Arne Slot now steering the ship and a Premier League title under his belt in his debut season, Liverpool have shown they are open to evolution. The Salah renewal is a signal: elite talent will be retained, pragmatism won’t be allowed to overrule purpose.

Salah summed up his own intentions best:

“I didn’t want more than two years.”

This isn’t about clinging to the past—it’s about controlling the future. A contract that serves both player and club. Flexibility for Salah; performance-based security for Liverpool.

And most importantly, it gives fans more moments with a legend still very much at his peak.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

As Liverpool fans, reading that Mo Salah believed there was only a “10%” chance of staying at the club this summer is utterly gut-wrenching. The relief now, with that signature on paper until 2027, is nothing short of euphoric.

Salah is Liverpool. Not just for the goals and assists—though 56 combined in one season is staggering—but for his leadership, his standards, his aura. In a post-Klopp world where uncertainty hovered, Salah staying on is a sign that this club still thinks big and acts smart.

What’s most impressive is how Arne Slot and the backroom team navigated the timing. They didn’t buckle under pressure—but they also didn’t allow a generational talent to slip through their fingers. It’s not just a renewal—it’s a restoration of belief.

We know Salah didn’t want anything beyond two years. That’s telling. He’s not clinging on for comfort; he’s committing to competing. And that, to us, shows he’s just as hungry as ever.

With Van Dijk also signed up, Liverpool have laid the foundation for continued dominance. Slot’s first title won’t be his last—especially with Mo still terrorising defenders.

The king stays. Long live the king.