Luis Diaz’s arrival at Liverpool in the January transfer window would be the “biggest disgrace ever” if it led to the departure of Mohamed Salah.
That is according to Paul Merson, who says it “would be absolutely mind-blowing” if Liverpool allowed Salah to leave the club after his incredible impact.
Salah is out of contract in 2023 and Liverpool are pushing for the Egyptian winger to commit to a new long-term deal with the club.
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However, the 29-year-old Liverpool star is reportedly holding out for wages in the region of £300,000 to £380,000 a week in order to sign a new contract.
Salah, whose Egypt side will face Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, has become a quintessential part of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
The Egypt captain has registered nine assists and scored an impressive 23 times in 26 appearances for Liverpool this season.
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Salah is considered the best player in the world right now, with the winger leading Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.
Liverpool forked out an initial fee of £37.5m to sign Diaz, who was also linked with Tottenham, from Porto before the January window closed.
However, Sky Sports pundit Merson is worried that the 25-year-old Colombian winger’s signing could mark the end of Salah’s time at Anfield.
“I really hope Luis Diaz going to Liverpool doesn’t mean Mo Salah is off because that would be the biggest disgrace ever,” he wrote for The Daily Star.
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“It took them 30 years to get back to being a force, to dominating teams again, to winning big trophies and having that reputation.
“To get to that point and let the best player in the world go would be absolutely mind-blowing.
“I don’t care how much he wants. He’s the best player in the world! And these fans have waited and waited for success like this. Pay him what he wants.
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“This is Liverpool football club. The owner wouldn’t think twice about paying his star pitcher at the Boston Red Sox big money. What makes Salah any different?
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“No-one scores goals like Salah does. He plays on the wing but he puts up the kind of figures other players can only dream of. He looks like scoring every game he plays.
“It doesn’t matter how good Diaz is. He’s not going to put up the sort of figures Salah does. Absolutely not.
“And if you’re Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool let Salah go, what message does that send you? You’ve turned him into the best in the world and just let him go? I’d be so disappointed.”
Topics: Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Paul Merson, Premier League, England, Football
Adnan Riaz