Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has urged the club to hand attacking duo of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah fresh contracts.
Writing in his column in The Mirror, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has urged the club to secure the future of attacking duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah by offering them new contracts.
The Reds duo has been critical pieces of Jurgen Klopp’s jigsaw at Anfield and has played starring roles in Liverpool’s success in recent times. Nigh on impossible to defend at times, Mane and Salah have formed one of the world’s most dangerous attacking trios alongside Brazilian ace Roberto Firmino.
Mane’s form has dropped in recent years, but he remains a force to be reckoned with on the left flank. The same cannot be said of Salah, who continues to grow from strength to strength. The Egyptian international has taken his game up another notch this season and continues to impress as one of the best players in world football today.
Both players have only a little over a year to go on their current deals. As a Liverpool fan himself, Fowler has clarified what the club should do. He expects the Reds’ hierarchy to offer both players new contracts that will secure their futures at Anfield in the years to come.
“Like every Liverpool fan across the world, I just want the club to give new contracts to Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.”
The arrival of Luis Diaz has given Klopp another left-winger to rely on. Still just 25, the Colombian has taken to life on Merseyside like a fish to water and appears to be the real deal. Fowler, however, had dismissed suggestions that Diaz was brought in to replace either Salah or Mane.
In fact, all three players started upfront in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday. Diaz certainly lived up to the hype while Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy denied Mane numerous times. Salah, too had his chances but had a quiet night by his standards.
Despite an infusion of youth in recent windows, Liverpool’s spine remains intact and still has a few years left in them. Intermixing their experience with the dynamism of the new additions is the right way forward. Mane and Salah remain two of the best wingers in the world, and the Reds will do well not to cut short their stints prematurely.
Fowler added, “The first team may not be getting any younger, but it’s still a healthily youthful squad. You can see some players like Diaz, Elliott, Jones and Gordan really developing and blossoming under Klopp.”
Fowler has also added that the Liverpool duo is likely to perform even into their thirties. Not only do they maintain a healthy lifestyle, but do everything in their position to stay in peak physical condition. While it cannot stop them from losing a yard or two, it does extend their ability to compete at the top level for a few more years.
“Klopp has said himself he believes his front three can stay at the top level into their mid-30s, and honestly, knowing them as I do and seeing them close up, you have to agree.”
Liverpool certainly have decisions to make next summer. Even if they bring in further reinforcements, it is in their best interest to keep Mane and Salah for a few more years. If anything, the duo has earned that much. While they are not getting any younger, it might not be time yet for them to pass the baton. Whether they have enough in the tank for one last dance in red remains to be seen. Either way, they are already club legends and deserve to be treated as such.
