Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott has urged the club to tie down Mohamed Salah as contract talks have stalled with the Egyptian.
Elliott has been a sensation for Liverpool since breaking into Jurgen Klopp's first team, and the 18-year-old was rewarded with a new contract this summer. He wasn't the only one, as Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson all signed long-term deals.
However, Salah is by far Liverpool's star man, and the Reds are yet to agree a new deal for the Egyptian, with his contract expiring at the end of next season. But Elliott has overwhelmingly waved his support by disclosing his '"love" for Salah.
Speaking to UMM, Elliott said: "Who wouldn't love playing with Mo Salah? In my opinion, he's the best in the world. Alongside Trent on the right side it's a dream for any youngster."
Elliott has featured on the right side of Liverpool's midfield three on numerous occasions this season, slotting in between Alexander-Arnold and Salah in a ferocious attack. And with those stars around him, his progression as a youngster will only be more impactful, but there is a risk that Salah may leave.
Talks have been put on hold as Klopp recently claimed Liverpool had done "all that they can," and an 'offer was already on the table' for Salah. But this was met with a series of laughing emoji's on the Twitter profile of Salah's agent, suggesting that they see things differently to the Liverpool boss.
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Salah has already admitted that he wants to stay at Liverpool, and the Egyptian has said that he is "not asking for much" to stay put at the club. However, he said that he wants to "feel valued" as one of the best players in the world, which Elliott and his team-mates clearly feel he is already.
The Egyptian has been exceptional since signing in 2017, and has helped Liverpool win their maiden Premier League title, and also added a sixth Champions League trophy to their collection. But owners Fenway Sports Group have always operated under a tight wage structure, and there is a hesitance to breach that.
Salah is likely to be asking for a huge package which would smash Liverpool's record deal, but in the current football climate it's not an abnormal request. But Liverpool operate under a strict system, and FSG continue to ensure that players know that no one is bigger than the club.
Liverpool fans were overjoyed in the summer as so many stars agreed to new long-term deals, but it may have worked against the club as they struggle to tie down Salah. If they were to offer the Egyptian a bumper deal, it could lead to issues internally as players may start to grow unhappy with their own contracts.
But Elliott clearly thinks that Salah is the best in the world, and the Egyptian is a popular figure amongst the dressing room. So would FSG be able to make an exception, with his team-mates accepting the fact that he is a top talent?
Only time will tell, although there isn't much of it left as Salah's value is rapidly decreasing each and every month. For now Liverpool will want to focus on winning as many trophies as possible this season, with the quadruple still on, but attention will surely be turned to Salah in the summer.
