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Egypt Boss Believes Liverpool Must Win Titles to Keep Mohamed Salah
November 23, 2018
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could leave Anfield "in a season or two" unless his side start winning silverware, says Egypt manager Javier Aguirre.
The Reds advanced to last season's UEFA Champions League final but finished empty-handed following a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid. The Egyptian only joined from AS Roma in 2017, but Aguirre told ONSport (h/t Goal) the drought must end or Salah may not stay.
Aguirre said: "Salah may leave Liverpool in a season or two if he does not win trophies. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp knows that very well, and that's why they are working hard to win trophies."
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are sure to be working hard to win trophies regardless of whether they felt Salah's future at the club was dependent on it, but convincing him of their potential is just added motivation.
The defeat to Real in May was Liverpool's third lost final since Klopp arrived at their helm in October 2015. They also finished runners-up in the Carabao Cup and the UEFA Europa League at the end of his first season.
Salah's opening season at the club culminated in the Champions League decider against a Real team at their third such final in as many years.
Trophies were the only thing missing in what would have otherwise been a fairy tale first campaign with the Reds, where he blossomed in attack alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Liverpool recently announced Mane has put pen to paper on a new contract, which is believed to run until 2023, and Bleacher Report's Dean Jones highlighted the need to capitalise on the strength of this team:
Klopp has made some astute transfer moves and brought more than was expected out of certain signings, while the club has also made statement signings in £75 million Virgil van Dijk and £56 million goalkeeper Alisson.
The 2011-12 League Cup was the last trophy Liverpool won, then managed by club legend Kenny Dalglish, though Salah has had little trouble winning individual plaudits and was recently named the club's Player of the Month:
It's inevitable, though, that every great player wishes to compete for the biggest titles. Liverpool are second in the Premier League, two points off leaders Manchester City, while they're in a close fight with Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain to advance from their Champions League group.
Mane spoke of titles as a particular motivation after signing his new contract at Anfield:
The only title Salah won before moving to Merseyside was the Swiss Super League crown he won with Basel at the end of the 2012-13 season. He finished his debut Liverpool campaign with 44 goals in 52 games but no team titles to show for it.
The forward has struggled to hit the same form this season, and Salah will seek to ensure he can maintain form on Merseyside before he or Aguirre think about the player moving elsewhere.