Andy Robertson exclusive: ‘Main man’ Mohamed Salah ‘completely focused on football’ despite Liverpool contract doubts
Published 26/11/2024 at 19:09 GMT
Mohamed Salah cast his Liverpool future into further doubt on Sunday when he admitted he was "more out than in" as his contract is set to expire in the summer. Ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid - live on TNT Sports - Andy Robertson said that his team-mate was "completely focused" on the team. Arne Slot has also brushed off Salah's controversial comments.
'I love him as a player, love him as a person' – Robertson on Salah contract situation
Video credit: TNT Sports
Andy Robertson has insisted that Mohamed Salah is "completely focused on football" despite doubts over his Liverpool future.
The Egyptian is coming to the end of his current contract with the Merseyside club, which expires at the end of the season.
Salah, who has scored 233 goals in 367 appearances since arriving at Anfield in 2017, spoke out about the situation after his brace helped Liverpool overcome Southampton on Sunday.
The 32-year-old revealed he was disappointed not to receive a new offer and admitted he was currently "more out than in".
Addressing the situation surrounding Salah, as well as team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Robertson told TNT Sports: "It’s a tough one."
"Mo, on the pitch, has been phenomenal this season. His numbers speak for themselves. Credit to the three lads, there’s been a lot of noise around them and all they’ve done is focus on football.
"All the players, all the coaches as well, we’re just trying to focus on football.
"If it affected Mo on the pitch, then maybe we’d have to step in and go, ‘Come on Mo’. But he’s so focused on the next game and tomorrow night [against Real Madrid], so are the other two lads, and real credit goes to them, they’re the ultimate professionals.
"As long as he keeps producing on the pitch, then I’ll be more than happy."
Liverpool take on Real Madrid on Wednesday at Anfield, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, as Arne Slot’s side look to maintain their 100% start to the European campaign.
"It’s a game all big players live for," Robertson said. "Mo always, more often than not, shows up in big games and we hope he shows up tomorrow night.
"He’s been in fantastic form in front of goal, he’s been so confident in front of goal, so if that continues, that gives us the best possible chance to be successful.
"He’s our main man, our main goal threat. Big night asks for big players and Mo certainly comes under that category."
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On Salah, Robertson added: "The more goals he scores, the more assists he makes, the more noise will go on around him."
However, the defender insisted that Salah, along with the entire squad, has learned to block that noise out.
"I love him as a player, I love him as a person," Robertson said. "We all know we’re going to leave the club at one point, but whenever that will be, that will be.
"Mo is completely focused on football and that’s the main thing and that’s credit to Mo. He blocks it out and so do we, that’s the key thing for our changing room."
Slot: team-mates 'not influenced’ by exit comments
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Slot had 'a bit of fun' with Salah over contract comments
Video credit: TNT Sports
Liverpool manager Slot also reacted to the interview Salah gave after the Southampton victory.
The former Feyenoord boss insists it has not overly bothered him or Salah’s team-mates behind the scenes, who have even poked fun at the club legend.
"It doesn’t influence me at all, and I don’t think that it influences him at all," the Dutchman told TNT Sports.
"If you look at his performances now, they’ve been outstanding. I think, in football, on the training ground no one is talking about his interview, I just made a bit of fun about it with him, and maybe the players make a bit of fun as well - just giving each other a bit of stick, that's what players do and it’s a good thing.
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Salah in Liverpool training
Image credit: Getty Images
"In football, we only look at the short term and we just want to win the next game. Not one of his team-mates is influenced by his interview, at least that’s not what I see and I’ve been in football a long time.
"I don’t think team-mates are influenced by interviews like what he gave after the [Southampton] game.
"I understand for the outside world it’s a big thing, but if we are at the [training ground] we only talk about Madrid and not Mo’s interview."
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