There's been a lot of talk over Mohamed Salah's future, but what about Sadio Mane's?
Like Salah, Mane is also out of contract in 13 months' time and it's unclear if he will sign an extension. The 30-year-old's importance to Liverpool cannot be understated - scoring 21 goals this season to help them challenge for an unprecedented quadruple. For that, it's believed the Reds will offer him a new £300,000-a-week deal this summer.
Yet it could be a mistake to put pen to paper before this season's Ballon d'Or is handed out in October. Mane is one of the favourites to win the award and agreeing a new deal may not reflect his status as the world's finest footballer - assuming he wins the award.
It's easy to see why Mane is being tipped for the Ballon d'Or. He scored the winning penalty in the shootout to lead Senegal to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Egypt in February. Mane then repeated the trick the following month when the two teams met in a World Cup qualifying play-off. Salah was part of the losing side on both occasions.
Mane's biggest rival for the Ballon d'Or is Karim Benzema - the Real Madrid talisman who's enjoying an extraordinary season at club level. His 43 goals in as many games has helped the Spanish giants win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.
The Frenchman has also tasted success with his country, scoring in both the semi-final and final of the Nations League last October. After a six-year exile from the national side, the honour was Benzema's first at senior international level.
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Yet the Champions League final is expected to be the clincher for the Ballon d'Or. If Liverpool win, Mane - or maybe even Salah - will take the historic acclaim. If Real win a record 14th European Cup, the prize will be Benzema's. Few would argue against that.
"If you think about the final and to make it even bigger, the two favourites for the Ballon d’Or are Sadio Mane and Karim Benzema," Arsenal legend Thierry Henry told CBS Sports after the Champions League finalists were confirmed on Wednesday evening.
"That will add a little extra spice into it. I still believe that Benzema is ahead, but if Mane wins it with Liverpool and they do make the quadruple, that would be a pretty strong case. It would be great for Africa, but I’m still going with Benzema."
Former Liverpool and Real winger Steve McManaman told BT Sport: "I was going to say Mane. He has won the AFCON and if he scores in the [Champions League] final too, there are lots of different scenarios. But it is great to see Benzema get his rewards."
If Liverpool go on to win the Champions League final, it would be foolish of Mane not to think he has a great chance of winning the biggest individual prize in football. As such, he should not accept a £300,000-a-week deal if Salah - as rumoured - is set to receive £400,000-a-week. Mane deserves at least the same salary, if not more.
And it appears his representatives recognise this. Reports in March suggested Mane is waiting to see what happens with Salah's new deal before making a decision. Few could blame him for taking his time, which is becoming more valuable by the second.
It's important not to forget Salah's worth. The recently crowned FWA Footballer of the Year has scored 30 goals and provided 14 assists for Liverpool this term. But his failure to get the better of Mane at international level will likely cost him in the Ballon d'Or vote.
There's no doubt Liverpool fans would love Mane to commit his future to the club. Yet he should be paid what he deserves. He could sign a new deal as one of the world's best players in the summer... or as the world's best player in October. That's worth the wait.
