The nerves continue to rage on for Liverpool fans, as they anxiously await news of a contract renewal for Mo Salah.
The Egyptian superstar has yet to put pen to paper on a contract extension and, with his contract set to expire next summer, this summer will be make or break for Liverpool.
BT Sport's panel discussed Salah's contract situation ahead of Liverpool's visit to Brighton on Saturday - and all agreed that Salah will have to compromise on his wage demands.
Mo Salah: BT panel discuss Liverpool man's wage demands
It's pretty clear that Liverpool don't have the financial might of the likes of Manchester City or Manchester United. Despite the derogatory tone in which the nickname is generally uttered, the phrase "net spend FC" is a huge compliment to how well Liverpool manage their finances.
But, when it comes to new contracts, it does mean that they will struggle to compete with the giants of European football when it comes to the wages required for the biggest players. Given his incredible form over the past few years, Mo Salah has every right to demand wages in line with the very best players in the world.
Despite this, Rio Ferdinand believes Salah will have to be careful about how he approaches contract negotiations with Liverpool. Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said that Salah will have to be mindful of the weaker financial capabilities of Liverpool, and question where his priorities lie.
They seem strong and they seem to have a clear understanding of where they are.
Mo Salah's going to say: 'I'm here, this is what I expect and this is the going rate around the league and around Europe as one of the best players.'
Liverpool will have to say: 'This is the pay structure - are you going to live within that or not?'
It's up to Mo Salah - what does he want? Does he want to be an absolute idol and icon at Liverpool forever, and stay there and fall in line with the pay structure? Or is it about money?
The point on understanding Liverpool's financial situation was one that every pundit on the BT panel was keen to drive home.
"Does he want to be an absolute idol, an icon at Liverpool forever, or is it about money?"
"It feels like a departure or Liverpool change their structure."
✍️💰 @rioferdy5, @petercrouch and Steve McManaman discuss Mo Salah's future at Liverpool as new deal talks continue... pic.twitter.com/g09ndmMRmb— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 12, 2022
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch was also on the panel. Crouch noted that Salah is not the only player at Liverpool who could justifiably seek a pay rise, and urged the Egyptian to "fall in line" with the club's wage structure.
We all want to keep Mo Salah, 100%, but he has to fall in line with what they're prepared to pay.
Of course, make him the highest paid, but not way beyond what you've got. Liverpool as a football club will always be bigger than any individual.
Steve McManaman would ultimately sum the situation up well. The Champions League winner said that he appreciated Salah's desire to be as well paid as the best in the world, and drove home the point that Liverpool fans want Salah to stay.
But that still came with the caveat that Liverpool must stand their ground in the negotiations.
There has to be a line. Every Liverpool fan wants Mo Salah to stay...this thing of 'give him whatever he wants'...we understand that, but there has to be a point when Liverpool say: 'we can pay this amount, that's our maximum.'
I don't think Liverpool are going to change their structure. You cannot compare his situation with Mbappé, let's say, you can't suddenly say 'I want the same price tag and wages as Mbappé' - that's not going to work.
There has to come a point where Liverpool make a decision, or Mo makes a decision, that's what it's going to be.
For Liverpool and their fans, the Mo Salah contract situation is a distraction in a season where the club are still in contention to complete a historic quadruple. Salah has played a massive role in this season's success, and it would be a major disappointment to see him leave Anfield this summer.
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