Liverpool’s fans are using Mohamed Salah’s trademark goal celebration to make public their demands that ‘The Egyptian King’ must not be allowed to leave Anfield.
‘He Fires A Bow. Now Give Mo His Dough’ reads the banner that is being brandished these days – and more could be on the way after the 32-year-old delivered another match-winning display in the 3-2 victory at Southampton.
Liverpool, struggling against determined opponents and a horrendous south-coast storm, were struggling at 2-1 down until Salah struck twice to give them the victory that puts them eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The first was classic Salah, his mere presence seemingly scrambling the mind of Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, whose injudicious dash from goal was enough for Liverpool’s marksman to swoop.
Salah’s winner was a penalty. No firing a bow this time, instead showing remarkable courage to rip off his shirt in such atrocious weather.
The contracts of Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold have provided a permanent sub-plot to head coach Arne Slot’s first season, the forward adding his own intrigue with an unprompted announcement that it may be his last season at Liverpool following the win at Manchester United.
After his latest exploits, there is now a simple question for Liverpool’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group.
How can they possibly allow a situation where a world-class, game-changing, enduringly brilliant player can walk away for nothing at the of the season?
Of course, the unknown – at least publicly – is what Salah will demand to stay, especially as he can command a huge signing on fee if he moved on a free transfer, and whether this all fits in with FSG’s much-touted ‘Moneyball’ strategy, which does not encourage long, expensive contracts for players in their 30s.