Jurgen Klopp has tackled Mohamed Salah's contract situation in the wake of a controversial tweet from the Egyptian's agent which openly mocked the Liverpool manager.
The Reds boss spoke in a press conference about his star’s contract situation, insisting the club “cannot do much more” in talks, which have dragged on for months.
Sources close to the agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, have suggested Liverpool’s last contract offer, which came towards the end of last year, were rejected out of hand by the player’s representative.
It is understood no talks have taken place since December, with Abbas making clear he will not come back to the negotiating table, and Salah will not sign a new contract, unless improved terms are received.
The player’s agent Ramy Abbas Issa though, seemed to reply strongly to that comment, posting seven crying with laughter emojis on Twitter, suggesting he was openly questioning the manager’s statement.
It also confirmed that talks are far from reaching a conclusion, despite some reports earlier in the week emanating from Egypt that there had been a breakthrough.
Klopp has reacted strongly in the past to open signs of dissent within his camp and taken a dim view of similar incidents.
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Mamadou Sakho was sent home from a pre-season tour and eventually sold, after a ‘lack of respect’ from the defender.
Others have felt his wrath too, and despite his friendly image, the manager is capable of using an iron hand when needed.
Speaking about Salah directly to newspaper reporters after the main press conference Klopp called for perspective, saying he was relaxed about the situation.
“The Mo question, nothing new happened, everything is fine, Mo is giving absolutely everything to the club," Klopp said.
“I understand these questions about contracts, but the club is in talks with all the agents and all the people and that is how it should be.”
Abbas tweeted not long after Klopp had initially been asked about Salah’s contract in his press conference to preview the visit to Brighton.
Then, he had said: “Mo definitely expects this club to be ambitious, we were in the last few years and we are. Of course we cannot do much more (in talks), that is how it is but it is Mo’s decision.
“From my point of view, it is exactly like it should be at this time. Nothing happened further, no signing, no rejections. We just have to wait, it is completely fine.”
Salah has previously claimed that his demands to remain at Anfield are not "crazy" and revealed his desire to stay at Liverpool beyond his current deal which expires in June 2023.
"I want to stay, but it's not in my hands. It's in their hands. They know what I want. I'm not asking for crazy stuff," Salah said in an interview with GQ in January, having reportedly asked for £300,000 per week.
"The thing is when you ask for something and they show you they can give you something (they should) because they appreciate what you did for the club.
"I've been here for my fifth year now. I know the club very well. I love the fans. The fans love me. But with the administration, they have (been) told the situation. It's in their hands."
