'Hopeful': Report states Liverpool confident of concluding long-term £400k-a-week contract talks in 'the coming weeks'

Liverpool are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Mohamed Salah over a new contract but with the Egyptian at AFCON it's unlikely to happen until mid-February at the earliest in my opinion.

His quality has never been in doubt and ever since he joined Liverpool, Salah has only ever enhanced his reputation but this season the no.11 has gone up another level and is now widely considered to be the best player on the planet.

Last season, he scored 31 goals and got 6 assists which is a fantastic return considering the Reds were stricken with injuries.

This season, after playing just 26 games, Salah has 23 goals and has already bettered his assist tally from last season with 9.

He's at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt this month and so I highly doubt contract talks will take place until he returns from Cameroon where the tournament is being hosted but Kevin Palmer reports that Liverpool chiefs are hopeful of the forward signing a new deal.

He reports that although initial talks with Salah's representative, Ramy Abbas Issa, failed to end with a shiny new contract being signed, Liverpool believe they can reach an agreement in 'the coming weeks'.

Salah is reportedly looking to earn £400,000/week in order to recommit himself to Anfield as he wants to be paid in line with his status as the best player in the Premier League.

Once again, I doubt there will be any movement on Salah's contract before he returns from the tournament as he will be fully focused on winning AFCON and scoring as many goals as he can.

Extending Salah's contract is vital and former Liverpool forward John Aldridge echoed this sentiment to Sunday World.

"The people who run Liverpool do it so well and they can't just let this run and run," he said. "I'm pretty sure behind the scenes there must be things going on behind the scenes.

"The way football has gone, the figures the top players are on is ridiculous and Mo Salah merits it, so they have to do it. The other Liverpool players have to realise he is that good and they have to accept it.

"It would be more expensive to go out and get someone. They have to do a deal. I don't think Liverpool will get anyone in January and that will be our signing in January, Mo Salah's contract.

"He is fit as a fiddle and you look at what (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi have done, if you keep yourself fit and stay injury-free, then you can do a lot of damage.

"There have been a few wrangles with the fans over the years about not spending enough, so I can't see them allowing Salah to go."