EVERY word Jurgen Klopp said on Mo Salah’s future after winger admits new contract is in Liverpool’s hands

Jurgen Klopp has responded to questions about Mo Salah’s Liverpool future.

The winger’s current contract at Anfield expires in the summer of 2023.

Salah has been in blistering form this season, scoring 23 goals in just 26 appearances.

However, he remains locked in talks about a new deal and insisted in a recent interview he’s not asking for “crazy stuff” to remain at the Reds.

Here’s every word of what Klopp had to say on Salah during his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal tomorrow night.

First of all, can I start with Mo, please? What are your thoughts on the latest interview he has given where he has reiterated that he wants to stay but said: “It’s not in my hands, it’s in their hands. They know what I want, I’m not asking for crazy stuff. The thing is when you ask for something and show you they can give you something, they should because they appreciate what you’ve done for the club”.

Just follow on from that as well, why has it come to the situation where they’ve come up with a package that’s not acceptable to Mo just yet?

First of all, nowadays I think it’s dangerous with interviews when you didn’t speak to the player himself.

There’s nothing that would be unexpected. I know Mo wants to stay, we want to stay. That’s where we are, these things take time. I cannot change, sorry.

I think it’s all in a good place. Nothing else to say.

Is there anything more you can say? Just to allay the fears of the fans who might be fearing at the moment that this deal could possibly not get done?

I am very positive about it but I don’t think it makes sense that you speak on behalf of the fans because I’m pretty sure the fans aren’t as nervous as you are.

They know the club pretty long and know the people here dealing with things for pretty long.

I think there are enough reasons to be positive.

As long as it’s not done, we can’t say anything about it but good conversations. That’s what I can say.

Jurgen, on Mo Salah, you’ve been saying the same things for a couple of months now. Mo Salah has been saying the same thing for a couple of months now. So surely both parties, I would think, are heading in the same direction to try to get this sorted?

Yeah. Right.

Why does it seem to take so long if both parties want the same thing?

Because things take time. There are so many things you have to do in these negotiations. There is, by the way, a third party - the agent is there as well.

There is nothing really to worry about. It’s a normal process.

Mo has a contract here this season and the end of next season. Just because we make up stories here, that’s why we talk about it but there’s nothing to say about it and nobody has to worry.

It’s just the situation. It’s all fine, it’s not done but we are in talks, he’s a world-class player, an unbelievable player, great boy, did a lot of great stuff for Liverpool and of course we want to keep him. Now let’s see how it will work out - that’s all.

Jurgen, Mo Salah turns 30 later this year. Do you think he can do what the likes of Messi and Ronaldo have done and maintain and perhaps even better their standards when he enters his mid-30s and late-30s?

Yeah. Yes, I think so.

Why is that? Is it something about the way he trains? Why do you think he can have that longevity.

It’s his character, it’s the way he trains, his attitude is great. Attitude is incredible - first in, last out - doing the right stuff.

You can do a lot of not so good things as well when you’re long on the training ground like in the gym but he knows his body, knows what to do and is listening to the experts here.

He tries to improve all of the time. He’s worked so hard for the situation he’s in now and will not waste it by doing less or whatever.

I’m as convinced as you can be.