Roy Keane believes Mohamed Salah remains 'in charge' of contract negotiations with Liverpool as the two parties remain unable to reach a breakthrough.
Jurgen Klopp has continued to stress in recent months that he remains optimistic an agreement can be reached with the Reds' talisman, whose current deal is set to expire next summer.
Salah has placed pressure on the club when addressing the issue during interviews, maintaining on each occasion that the situation is 'out of his hands'.
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Liverpool would be forced to break their wage structure to make the 29-year-old the highest-paid in the club's history, but Keane is adamant that this is a move the Reds must make.
"He’s 29 but the modern players are machines," the former Manchester United midfielder told ITV during Liverpool's FA Cup tie with Cardiff.
He added: "From Liverpool’s point of view, it’s business they’ve got to try and negotiate. You’ve got to get him signed on, he’s one of the greatest players in the world. You’ve got to get it done. If it goes into next season, you really start to worry.
"They might not have a choice, it’s up to the player. The player’s in charge, he said he’s happy and he’s obviously going to try and negotiate a bit of steel.
"It might be does he want a new experience, but he’s said a number of times he’s happy here. He’s loved here but Liverpool have got to try and get him signed. You can’t just let players like that go out of the door, particularly on a free."
