Mohamed Salah speaks out about Liverpool future and admits Sadio Mane 'tension'

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah admits negotiating a new contract with Liverpool "wasn't easy" as he revealed he was open to the possibility of leaving the club this summer.

Speculation surrounded the future of Salah for much of the season before the Reds forward put pen to paper on a new two-year deal last month to extend his Anfield commitment to a decade.

Despite the potential distraction, the Egyptian has enjoyed a superb campaign with 33 goals and 23 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions

Salah was named Football of the Year on Friday for a record-equalling third time, is expected to win the Premier League Golden Boot and is a front-runner for the Ballon d'Or.

the 32-year-old, who remains a target for the Saudi Pro League, has detailed how he was willing to walk away at the end of the season if the impasse in contract talks with Liverpool was unable to be broken.

“It was a possibility, yes," he said. "It was actually a bit strange, we were really going strong this season, and there was this negotiation that wasn’t easy.

“In the end, all’s well that ends well: we’re champions and I’m staying for two more seasons.

“I guess it was ultimately a huge advantage because I had the best statistical season of my life. The possibility that it would be my last season here, perhaps, gave me the desire to make the most of it and give everything I had to win the title I had promised.”

"I had this mindset: if the club doesn’t want to extend my contract, no worries, let’s finish as well as possible so I can leave with a bang.”

Liverpool are 15 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with three games remaining, and welcome the Gunners to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Salah had started the season by declaring the Premier League was his priority, and has explained the driving force behind his desire for a second title with Liverpool.

"I even said it was my main goal," he said. "This is the first time in my career that I have placed the Championship above the Champions League.

"It was such a heartbreak not to be able to celebrate with our fans in 2020, due to the pandemic, that I absolutely wanted, along with the whole team, to offer this to our fans and the city. Nine months later, promise kept."

Salah also once again addressed his relationship with former team-mate Sadio Mane at Liverpool amid claims the Egyptian was selfish in front of goal.

Salah

"I scored a lot (44 goals in my first season), and then Sadio told himself it was his turn to score more too,"

"Yes, there was tension with Sadio. But look, we remained professional until the end, and I don't think it affected the team.

"It's natural for someone to want more, and I understand that - he's a competitor. Off the pitch, we weren't very close, but we always respected each other.

"As for the comments about me being selfish? I don't care. People have the right to think what they want - that's their business.

“But I invite everyone to notice that the player who provided the most assists to Mane was me (18 assists).

"People can look at the facts, but clearly, it's easier to throw out statements like that - they make big headlines."