Mo Salah aims subtle dig at Trent Alexander-Arnold after signing new Liverpool contract

Mohamed Salah emphasised his desire to win trophies with Liverpool, not individual honours, after signing a new deal – in a clear contrast to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent comments

Mohamed Salah says he decided to stay at Liverpool because he wants to win trophies with his team-mates – in a clear contrast to Trent Alexander-Arnold. It was announced on Friday morning that Salah has signed a new contract with the Reds and will continue to spearhead Arne Slot ’s side next season.

He is the first of Liverpool’s three out-of-contract stars to announce his decision, with the futures of Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk still unclear. Like Salah, Van Dijk is expected to put pen to paper on a new two-year contract, but Alexander-Arnold is poised to leave on a free transfer to Real Madrid when his deal expires at the end of June.

Salah is in the midst of his best-ever season with Liverpool, having recorded 32 goals and 22 assists in 45 games so far. With the Premier League title heading to Merseyside, the Egyptian has made it clear that he thinks the future is bright under Slot.

“I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football,” he said. Salah has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and two Carabao Cups since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and in an interview with the club media he made it clear what his goals for the future are.

READ MORE: Arne Slot’s dream Liverpool XI next season with three signings after Mo Salah’s new dealREAD MORE: Arne Slot drops hint on Virgil van Dijk contract announcement as ‘progress’ made

Asked about sitting third on the club’s all-time goalscorer list, Salah replied: “It’s great but I’m more proud when we win team trophies because this is the most important thing. When you win something with the team and are scoring goals and you are involved, that’s what people remember. Just individual awards without winning anything doesn’t feel great.”

He had a similar response when asked about chasing the Premier League’s golden boot this season. “ I’m just a good winger and I try to do my job,” he said modestly. “As long as we’re winning games and are close to winning trophies, that’s the most important thing.”

When it was pointed out that he is four goals off going fourth in the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer’s list, Salah said: “Of course. To be fair, it’s great. But, again, when you are scoring goals and you feel like you are involved in most of the games and the team is close to winning big trophies, that’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Some Liverpool fans may draw a parallel between Salah’s words and those of Alexander-Arnold’s back in October when speaking to Sky Sports. The 26-year-old was asked to choose between winning another Champions League title, winning a trophy with England, becoming Liverpool captain or winning the Ballon d’Or and he went for the individual award over team honours.

“Winning a World Cup with England – that would be immense and change the game, but I’d say win a Ballon d’Or, because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it,” he said before adding: “I believe it. Some people may call me deluded, but I believe I can.”

And asked how he’d like to be thought of in 20 years’ time, Alexander-Arnold said: “A legend of football. Someone who changed the game – that’s the main thing that I have: ‘don’t play the game, change the game’.

“So that’s the legacy I want to have: being the greatest right-back to ever play football, if I’m honest. I know that there’s been so many out there, but I’ve got to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”

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