Here is your Liverpool morning digest for Friday, February 25.
Mohamed Salah sent blunt contract message
Liverpool will only be able to offer Mohamed Salah a new Liverpool contract on reasonable terms, says John Barnes.
The Egyptian's two goals against Leeds United at Anfield on Wednesday evening moved Salah up to ninth position in The Reds' all time leading goal scorers list.
But with less than 18 months remaining on his current contract and every elite club across Europe waiting in the wings for his services, the Kop favourite is in a strong bargaining position to secure himself a new mega-deal.
Liverpool are desperate to hang onto their prize asset, but Liverpool legend Barnes insists that the club cannot be held to ransom over a new deal.
READ MORE: Roy Keane aims Champions League dig at Liverpool after Jamie Carragher exchange
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Speaking to BonusCodeBets, he said: “If Mohamed Salah wants a 10-year contract, that takes him up until he’s 40 years old and he want’s £300,000 a week, should Liverpool really accept that? Of course not.
“Liverpool cannot accept every single contractual demand; they are making the right decision [by not giving in]. They are simply looking at Salah’s age.
"They love Mo, and they want him to stay, but there must be a compromise on both sides. If he was 28 and wanted a five-year contract, then fair enough.
“The days of just accepting a player’s every contract demand are gone.”
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Rio Ferdinand proved wrong after Liverpool title claim
Liverpool's resurgence in the title race has reignited excitement in the Premier League season, but when one pundit suggested only a week ago that The Reds were still in running, he was asked if he was feeling OK.
The gap between the Reds and table-toppers Manchester City was narrowed to just three points on Wednesday evening after Liverpool took advantage of their game in hand by thumping Leeds United 6-0.
Only six days ago, Jurgen Klopp's side were nine points behind the Premier League champions and have even been as far out as 12 points, but now have their destiny back in their own hands and a trip to the Etihad stadium still to be contested in April.
With Pep Guardiola's side seemingly running away with the title, finding a pundit actually backing Liverpool for a record 20th top flight title this year had become increasingly difficult.
But when former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright suggested Klopp's men were still in it a week ago, he was laughed at.
Speaking on The Kelly & Wrighty show, Wright said: "I still think that Liverpool believe that they might be able to still do it.
"I fancy that Liverpool will probably think they can do the Champions League as well. I’m not going to write Liverpool off, I’m going to go with Liverpool [to win the league]."
Show guest Lianne Sanderson, believed City had the title wrapped up and quickly made light of Wright's claim.
The former England international replied: "Nah, nah. Are you alright today?!" before laughing.
"It's possible, but I can't see it," she added.
Sanderson wasn't the only one who felt The Reds' hopes of lifting the title this term were nothing more than a long shot.
Little over a week ago Rio Ferdinand claimed that City were in cruise control and heading for another Premier League title.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
