Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists everyone is clear on what they want from Mohamed Salah’s contract negotiations but added time was needed to resolve its complexities.
The Egypt international is approaching the final 18 months of his current deal and talks have been ongoing for some time but the impasse appears to be the 29-year-old’s wage demands, reported to be in excess of £300,000.
Owners Fenway Sports Group are not in the habit of handing out long, expensive deals to players over 30 (Salah reaches that age in June) but considering his form and fitness there is an argument for an exception to be made.
In an interview in his homeland Salah said “If the decision is up to me, I want to stay in Liverpool but the decision is in the hands of the management and they have to solve this issue.”
Klopp, however, believes they are on the same page.
“We’re talking and extending a contract with a player like Mo is not something where you meet for a cup of tea in the afternoon and find an agreement. That’s completely normal,” said Klopp.
“There’s really nothing else to say about Mo. He speaks about it and I can only say a few things because all the rest is not for the public, obviously.
“Mo is fine, I am fine. I think what we all want is clear and things like this need time, that is it.”
Salah will want to play in the Champions League dead rubber against AC Milan at the San Siro as he is seeking to become the first Liverpool player to score in five group games of the same European campaign.
Klopp’s side could also become the first English club to win all six matches of the group phase, a feat only achieved seven times prior to this season.
Wolves v Liverpool ratings
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WOLVES RATINGS: Jose Sa – 6. The Portuguese made superb reflex saves from Thiago and Mane but almost gave away a goal after a mix-up with Saiss. He swept up when needed. PA -
Nelson Semedo – 5. The wing-back had some difficult moments against Mane but stuck to his task. His distribution going forward was poor. Reuters -
Max Kilman – 7. The 24-year-old showed strength and intelligence despite not playing on his strongest side. He was impressive in the air and on the ground. Reuters -
Conor Coady – 7. The boyhood Liverpool fan overcame a painful knock to put in a sterling display at the heart of the defence. His block on the line from Jota saved a certain goal. PA -
Romain Saiss – 7. The Moroccan kept tight on Salah and made a remarkable challenge when the Egyptian looked set to score. He held his position despite the movement of the attackers. PA -
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 7. The Frenchman was an effective outlet and provided the cross for his team’s best chance of the first half. His departure in stoppage time for Hoever gave Salah the chance to set up the goal. Getty Images -
Ruben Neves – 6. The 24-year-old was robust and combative. He made sure Liverpool were unable to dominate the central areas but did little of a creative nature. PA -
Leander Dendoncker – 6. The Belgian broke up play in the midfield and aimed to get forward when appropriate. He was disciplined and screened the centre-backs. Getty Images -
Adama Traore – 6. The Spaniard was a handful for the Liverpool defence without ever creating any real danger. He came off with two minutes left for Trincao. PA -
Raul Jimenez – 5. The Mexican could not get into the game. He was left isolated and when the ball was played in to him, he tended to run offside. PA -
Hwang Hee-chan – 4. The South Korean had a half chance but seemed to get caught in two minds and lost the opportunity. He was withdrawn with 12 minutes to go and replaced by Moutinho. Getty Images -
SUB: Joao Moutinho – 4. The 35-year-old joined the action in the 78th minute in place of Hwang. He was meant to help secure the draw but never got into the game. PA -
SUB: Francisco Trincao – 4. The 21-year-old was given a brief run-out, replacing Traore with two minutes to go. He had a minimal impact on the match. PA -
SUB: Ki-Jana Hoever – 3. The Dutchman replaced Ait-Nouri in stoppage time for a brief but ugly cameo against his former club. He was left stranded by Salah, who crossed for Origi to score. Getty Images -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian was quick off his line to deny Traore at the end of the first half. Other than some minor communication problems with Van Dijk he was in control. Getty Images -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. The 23-year-old was secure when defending and caused Wolves some trouble going forward. He was solid rather than spectacular. EPA -
Joel Matip – 7. The centre-back was composed under pressure and good with the ball at his feet. He spotted danger before it developed. AP Photo -
Virgil van Dijk – 6. The Dutchman was a little uncertain in the first half and found Traore a handful. His long ball started the move that led to the goal. Getty Images -
Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot ranged forward and threatened the Wolves goal but he always had to keep looking over his shoulder at Traore. He showed impressive energy. Getty Images -
Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian was involved in a battle with the opposition midfield and put in a shift. It was hard work and he got little chance to show off his attacking qualities. PA -
Thiago Alcantara – 7. The 30-year-old produced a great ball to give Alexander-Arnold a chance and had a shot blocked by Sa. He was his team’s most dangerous midfielder. Getty Images -
Jordan Henderson – 5. The captain toiled away but struggled to get any momentum going. He was replaced by Origi in the 68th minute after a sub-par effort. EPA -
Mohamed Salah – 7. The Egyptian had a low key game but seized upon a late lapse by the defence to streak into the area and set up Origi for the Belgian’s stoppage-time winner. He departed immediately afterwards to be replaced by Milner. AP Photo -
Diogo Jota – 4. The Portuguese went close with a first-half header against his former club but embarrassed himself by shooting directly at Coady with the goalkeeper grounded outside the area. He came off with eight minutes to go for Oxlade-Chamberlain. EPA -
Sadio Mane – 6. The Senegalese had a late chance foiled by Sa but he never really got into his stride against the packed defence. He found space hard to come by. PA -
SUB: Divock Origi – 8. The Belgian was introduced for Henderson in the 68th minute to give the attack more power. He rose to the occasion and scored the last-gasp goal that secured the points for his team after an exceptional turn in the box. PA -
SUB: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5. The 28-year-old entered the fray with eight minutes left when Jota departed. He was unable to affect the game to any great extent. Getty Images -
SUB: James Milner – 5. The 35-year-old was brought on for Salah to help kill the match late in stoppage time. He contributed an enthusiastic clearance. Getty Images
