‘More than just money’ – Mo Salah’s ex-Liverpool teammate opens up on contract saga and outlines £160m need

Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has claimed the Reds will need to spend £160million to replace what Mohamed Salah offers.

Salah is on the last year of his contract that expires in June with the likelihood being he leaves Merseyside.

His rumoured destination is the Saudi Pro League which offers stars mega contracts.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly earns a whopping £3.28m per week while Riyad Mahrez earns £850k.

And having won a Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup at Liverpool, Salah has confirmed he wants a change of scenery.

“It's my last year at the club so I want to do something special for the city,” said the Egyptian last month.

He may achieve such that 'special' something as Arne Slot’s squad sit six points ahead on top of the league with a game in hand and finished top of the Champions League table with only one loss.

Winning a double would be a perfect way to end his eight-year tenure at Liverpool where he met his good friend Lovren.

In a recent interview the centre-back revealed: “We are still in touch. We talk every now and then, yes, it is not just about football, it is not just friendships on the pitch, it is a real friendship, a friendship that lasts a lifetime.”

When asked about Salah’s contract situation, Lovren replied: “I called him one day and said: 'Mo, you have to think about yourself. Look at everything you've given this club and what you can still give.' 

“In the end, I came to the conclusion that the club doesn't respect him enough, or at least not as much as they think they should, but that's another side of the story, it's all about what goes on behind the scene 

“Mohamed Salah, not only this season, but over the last 5-6 seasons in a row, they are not just amazing numbers, they are crazy. 

“I think he does not get enough attention despite these numbers, because if it was Messi or Ronaldo, we would see talk every day about why his contract was not renewed and why the right offer was not made to him.”

He continued: “He is worth more than money and the question is: How can you replace him? This is the first question I will ask the club’s management: Who will give you what Mohamed Salah offers? Who will give you the statistics and numbers that he gives you.

“If you want to replace him I think you need to spend 200 million euros (£160m) on a player who can offer what Mohamed Salah offers, and the question remains with that amount that will be paid and the high salary, will he offer what Salah offers? 

“Because Salah is always present mentally, despite all the pressures, negotiations and external influences that are happening around him, Salah is still performing brilliantly on the pitch.”

Lovren revealed that Salah is thinking about the 'next step' but not with a specific club.

At 33-years-old Liverpool are most likely wondering how long Salah can maintain this top level.

One that has seen him grab 44 goal involvements in 34 games this season.

His friend ‘does not look at his age’ because Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing at the age of 40.

Liverpool fans, like Lovren, will hope Salah remains at Liverpool alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.