Mohamed Salah & Liverpool 'still quite a way apart' in contract extension talks as Michael Owen urges former club to 'bend the rules' before it's too late

The Egyptian forward’s current deal at Anfield is set to expire on June 30, leaving his long-term future with the club uncertain. The two parties are struggling to find common ground in their ongoing contract negotiations, with discussions reportedly at a standstill.

Despite delivering another impressive season, where he has netted 32 goals in 43 appearances, Salah's recent comments on his future, have further fuelled speculation that this may be his final campaign with the Reds. However, Owen believes Salah is eager to continue his journey at Anfield but emphasized that the club may need to reconsider its contractual policies to make that happen.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Owen stated, “Mo Salah's an interesting one. I think Mo Salah wants to stay, in fact I'm pretty sure he wants to stay. I think Liverpool are going to have to bend the rules slightly, they might say, 'Oh right, only two years for players of this age.'

"But he's no normal player, he's as fit as a flea, he's dedicated, he lives in the gym, he's so professional. You can't tell me that he's not going to be at the same level in three, four years. I mean, he's just unbelievable, so I would bend the rules, I would give him the contract, the length of the contract. I'm also not that type of person, a fan that says, 'Just give him what he wants, he's brilliant, we'll win the league with him.' No, because you can't put your club at risk, but I don't think it's got to that stage."

While acknowledging the club’s financial prudence, Owen argued that letting Salah go could prove costlier in the long run.

"To replace him, it's going to cost an awful lot more, you're not going to pay a transfer fee for him," he added. "So I would do whatever it takes to keep him, and I think he wants to stay, but sources tell me that they're still quite a way apart."

Salah has long been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, with clubs from the region previously making substantial offers for his services. Reports suggest that Saudi football executives remain keen on signing him, and with his contract situation unresolved, those rumors are likely to intensify.

As discussions over his future persist, Salah is currently focused on Egypt’s upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Sierra Leone. Once his international duties are completed, he will return to action for Liverpool in the highly anticipated Merseyside derby against Everton on April 2.