Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been accused of 'thinking about himself' by fellow club legend Jamie Carragher.
The 32-year-old's contract situation at Anfield has been a hot topic for debate since it became apparent that the Merseyside giants are in no rush to extend his terms past 2025.
With Salah able to negotiate with foreign clubs from the start of January, the expectation has been that the situation will be resolved before the end of the year.
However, after Sunday's 3-2 victory at Southampton, Salah surprisingly went in-depth regarding the situation that is currently ongoing behind the scenes.
Salah claimed that he is "more out than in" when questioned over whether he will stay at Anfield, insisting the situation is 'out of his hands'.
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Carragher hits out at Salah
The general consensus is that Liverpool officials should have prevented a situation where Salah will soon be entering the final seven months of his existing deal.
Nevertheless, Carragher has chosen to criticise the versatile attacker, claiming he has brought a distraction upon the club ahead of their upcoming fixtures against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Carragher told Sky Sports: "I must say I am very disappointed with Mo Salah. Liverpool have Real Madrid midweek and Man City at the weekend. That's the story right now."
"If he keeps putting comments out, his agent puts out cryptic messages, that is selfish. That is thinking about themselves and not the football club."
He added: "The most important thing for Liverpool Football Club this season isn't the future of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The most important thing is Liverpool winning the Premier League.
"I hope they don't feel like this club would fall apart if they left. Steven Gerrard left the club and the next manager won the Premier League. Graeme Souness left and Liverpool won the double.
"Salah, would we miss him? Of course we would. But Liverpool will move on."
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What happens next?
A report has already indicated that Salah's agent has held "positive" dialogue with the club's hierarchy that remains "ongoing".
Despite Carragher's suggestions that Salah's comments could bring about a distraction, it could also have a galvanising effect during two mammoth occasions at Anfield.
Salah has already contributed an incredible 11 goals and 10 assists from his 16 starts in the Premier League and Champions League, there being no doubt that the Egypt international will be wholeheartedly backed by the club's supporters when he takes to the pitch versus defending champions Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Darren Plant
