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Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has questioned Liverpool’s decision to hand Mohamed Salah a new contract earlier this year, and claimed Sir Alex Ferguson would have sold the player.
It’s a remarkable statement just a few months after Salah guided Liverpool to Premier League glory, and equalled the all-time record of goal involvements in a single campaign. His imperious performance levels came as the Egyptian’s contract was approaching its final months, and much of the 2024/25 season was dominated by talk of whether he would pen a new deal.
Ultimately, Salah signed a two-year extension at Anfield, but his form this season is not justifying that lucrative deal. Salah has managed just three goals and three assists from 10 appearances in all competitions.
Even more alarming is his performance level, with Salah often anonymous for long spells of games.
Allardyce has questioned the wisdom of handing a 33-year-old Salah a new deal at the end of last season. He has cited Ferguson's approach, who rarely purchased players in their 30s during his time at Manchester United and showed a ruthless streak when moving on players who he felt were past their best.
“How many players have we seen who are in the last year of their contract and they get the big contract they've been waiting for and decide to stay?” said Allardyce, speaking on Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, in partnership with BOYLE Sports.
“In all fairness, Salah probably could have gone and earned a lot more money in Saudi [Arabia], but we have seen other players that seem to decline after getting a bigger contract than they had before.
“Sir Alex would have sold Salah. He knew when to move a player on without a doubt. He was a master at maximizing the fee.
“He let them go just before they ended up being not as valuable as they were at that particular time.”
Ironically, Allardyce’s comments come as Salah and Liverpool prepare to face United.
The Red Devils travel to Anfield on Sunday for one of the most highly anticipated matches of the campaign.
Both sides are struggling for form, with United 10th in the table and second-placed Liverpool heading into the international break on the back of three straight defeats.
As for Salah, he has enjoyed his meetings against United over the years. In 17 previous matches, the winger has scored 16, more than against any other opponent during his time at Liverpool.
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