Liverpool told they can’t sell Mohamed Salah as Alexander Isak concern is aired
Liverpool have been told that they can’t sell Mohamed Salah after his return to the team in the 2-0 win over Brighton.
Former Premier League striker and Reds fan Charlie Austin believes that the champions should keep hold of Salah, but he is worried about Alexander Isak.
His comeback was the culmination of a long, up and down week for Liverpool and Salah.
It all started after the 3-3 draw at Elland Road against Leeds United, in which the Egyptian star was an unused substitute.
After the game, he spoke in the mixed zone to the gathered press and delivered a bombshell interview.
Arne Slot had dropped Salah for the third straight league game, and the forward claimed his relationship with the Dutchman was broken and that the club had thrown him under the bus.
The response from Liverpool was to drop Salah from the squad for the Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.
The Reds won 1-0 thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty, and Slot refused to confirm if Salah would be leaving in January.
However, after clear-the-air talks between the two, the Reds legend was re-introduced and was included in the matchday squad for this game against Brighton.
And after 26 minutes, he got his chance as Joe Gomez limped off, and Slot turned to Salah, and he delivered his best performance of the season.
He also set up Hugo Ekitike‘s second for his 277th direct Premier League goal contribution for Liverpool – no player has more for a single club.
And Austin phoned the talkSPORT GameDay Phone In with Ade Oladipo and Jason Cundy to speak about Salah’s future.
He said: “Liverpool can’t sell Salah. They just can’t.
“I wish this had happened in April, and then, they would have sold him in the summer, but right now, no chance.
“He’s too important.”
When asked about Liverpool potentially going on a great run during AFCON, the former QPR striker said: “I think he takes it on again.
“You can’t just move him on.”
Cundy then pushed if Austin would sell him if Salah had decided it was time to move on.
“That is just a quick reaction because it is only December, and he just signed a new deal.
“Footballers are selfish, and I am speaking from experience. They are the most selfish people, and if Liverpool beat Leeds, he doesn’t come out and say that, but he did.
“But now I do feel like him being back involved today is that smoothed over.
“I thought he would start, and that just proves how important he is.”
But Austin is more worried about summer signing Isak.
The Swede came off the bench for Ekitike and offered very little as his goalless Premier League run at Anfield continues.
The last time he scored a top-flight goal at his new home ground was when he represented Newcastle United.
And Austin thinks it has shades of Fernando Torres joining Chelsea for £50million in January 2011 from Liverpool.
He said: “My worry as a Liverpool fan is what is happening with Isak is what happened with Torres when he went to Chelsea.
“I think it might not work out. I don’t think it will work out.”
What next for Salah?
That could prove to be Salah’s last Liverpool game because he is now heading to the Africa Cup of Nations.
By the time he returns, the January transfer window will be open, and clubs in Saudi Arabia have been linked with Salah.
He signed a new contract not all that long ago, so the Reds would be able to demand a fee for the forward.
But ultimately, it probably all comes down to what Salah wants rather than anything else.
So, his future is very much up in the air.
Isak’s woes at Liverpool
It is still early days for Isak at Liverpool, but the Torres comparisons make sense because like the Spaniard, he thrived at his former club but is seriously struggling now.
At Newcastle, the Magpies almost built their game around trying to get Isak to score goals, and he proved he was one of the best strikers in Europe, helping the club win their first trophy in decades.
But he left under a very dark cloud after going on strike to leave the Toon before his British-transfer record move from Tyneside to Merseyside.
As a result, he took no part in pre-season training or the first three Premier League games, meaning by the time he arrived at Liverpool, he was nowhere near being match fit.
We are now into December, and he has two goals in 15 appearances across all competitions.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
