Shay Given believes Liverpool made the right decision by not selling Mohamed Salah.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given believes it is critical for Liverpool that Mohamed Salah does not depart this summer.
According to the BBC, the Saudi Pro League was interested in Salah, but the Reds were unwilling to take any bids for him. The 31-year-old is clearly one of Liverpool’s most essential players.
Since arriving from AS Roma in 2017, no one has surpassed him in the club’s scoring charts at the end of each season. This season, he has four goals and four assists in seven appearances across all competitions.
During a Champions League game in 2021, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool competes for possession with Theo Hernandez of AC Milan. (Photo courtesy of Marco Luzzani/Getty Images))
Given, in his BBC column, stated:
“I believe it was critical that Mohamed Salah did not leave as well, despite reports that bids for him from Saudi Arabia were increasing as deadline day approached.”
“Liverpool have plenty of attacking options but the psychological impact on the club would have been huge if Salah had gone – he is a brilliant player of course, but it would also have done serious damage to the belief of the squad if they had lost him.”
Given is entirely correct. Salah has emerged as the face of this football club in the same way that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres once did. He is a living legend in this town.
Mohamed Salah is a Liverpool player. (Photo courtesy of Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Salah received a new three-year contract last year, making him the club’s highest-paid player ever. So, at the very least, he understands how highly the Reds regard him.
Salah’s legs still have a lot to give and play at the highest level despite his age. Even though they have the money to support their objectives, playing in Saudi Arabia just does not carry the same clout.
It just appears like players, particularly those nearing the end of their careers, may travel there for a payoff. Salah should still try to win everything he can before retiring from European football. We still need him despite the presence of players such as Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz.