These days, Mohamed Salah is at his football peak, displaying incredible performances, scoring goals and making assists, his curve going higher with every match.

He is the talk of the world as fans and critics sing his praises. He makes the front pages and covers of the most famous newspapers and magazines in the UK.  Except Liverpool, Salah’s club for the past seven years. They seem to be oblivious to their Egyptian king’s sky-rocketing achievements which could put his name atop the 2025 Ballon d’Or list of candidates.

The 32-year-old is Liverpool’s top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions and scored twice on Sunday against the Saints for a 3-2 come from behind win to move the club eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after 12 games.

But Salah, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, told reporters after the win at Southampton that he is “probably more out than in” and has yet to be offered fresh terms.

He said he was “disappointed” by the club’s failure to offer him a new contract.

Obviously, Salah, who rarely talks to the press, is fed up. While much of the world cheers him on, Liverpool remain quiet.

A club source told BBC Sport that contact with Salah’s agent Rami Abbas is ongoing and has been positive.

On Monday, Salah broke his silence and spoke to journalists about his uncertain future with Liverpool. “We are approaching the month of December and so far, I haven’t received an offer to stay in the club. It looks that the possibilities of my departure from the club is more out than in,” Salah told the Egyptian website yallakora.com.

“I don’t want to talk about offers from Saudi clubs. In the meantime, I am focusing with my team as I am so professional. Everyone who knows me understands how I care about passion and ethics in my work.”

Last year Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia reportedly offered a contract to Salah worth $150 million a year.

“As you all know, I have been in the club for many years and there is no other club like Liverpool. However, in the end it’s not my call or in my hands. So far, I haven’t received anything about our future. I am disappointed, it’s December and no official offer to renew my contract. I will continue playing and focus on the season with an eye to win the Premier League and hopefully the European Champions League as well. Whatever happens, I won’t retire soon.

“I love Liverpool and the club fans and they love me in return as well. Meanwhile, I am so focused on the games and enjoy football and I plan to continue playing football for the longest period,” Salah added

Salah, who joined the Reds from Roma in 2017, is fifth on Liverpool’s all-time record scoring list in all competitions with 223 goals from 367 games. He is also fifth on the league list with 165 goals from 262 games.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 28 November, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly