Frank Christian
Liverpool has entered the final international break of 2024 with a comfortable five-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.
Under the guidance of Arne Slot, the team secured a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa last weekend, maintaining their lead over last year’s champions, Manchester City, after 11 matches.
While many players will be heading off for international commitments, some key figures will remain in Liverpool over the next few days.
Notably, superstar Mohamed Salah will not participate in Egypt’s upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Cape Verde and Botswana as the team has already secured their spot in the tournament.
This decision allows Salah to rest, having already scored 10 goals this season, which is impressive for the 32-year-old.
Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, however, is anticipated to withdraw from the England squad due to a hamstring injury that will keep him out for about two weeks.
Despite this unfortunate news regarding Alexander-Arnold’s health, his presence in Merseyside could be advantageous for ongoing contract extension discussions, particularly concerning Salah.
According to journalist Ismael Mahmoud, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, an agreement has been reached to prioritize contract negotiations with Salah during this break.
I’ve been told that Mohamed Salah staying at Liverpool during the international break will be very important for the club to begin serious contract renewal negotiations. Been told too that Liverpool knows Salah is asking for a new two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/owqNyMMTCc
— Ismael Mahmoud – إسماعيل محمود (@ismaeelmahmoudd) November 10, 2024
Both Salah and Alexander-Arnold, along with club captain Virgil van Dijk, are set to become free agents at the end of the season, fueling speculation at Anfield regarding their future.
Salah is reportedly considering a two-year contract offer from Liverpool amid rumors linking him with a move to the Saudi Pro League in 2025.
It remains uncertain if there will be news regarding these contract discussions after the international break, but Liverpool hopes to reach a decision by the close of 2024.
