Mohamed Salah has thrilled supporters by signing a new long-term contract with Liverpool Football Club on Friday, but not before the club managed to wind fans up big time prior to making the announcement.
With only 12 months remaining on his existing deal, the Egyptian King has finally put an end to mounting speculation about his future by putting pen to paper on a fresh deal that will see him continue to lead Liverpool's forward line.
But the club took the opportunity to send social media into overdrive by staging an apparent emoji stand-off with Salah's agent just minutes before announcing the new deal.
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Ramy Abbas Issa sparked controversy earlier this year when he posted a crying laughter emoji on Twitter amid negotiations with Liverpool over a new deal for Salah. The agent was heavily criticised for his approach at the time.
But when he once again posted the same emoji on Friday afternoon - suggesting that the two parties were still miles apart on striking a deal - it sparked an angry reaction from fans, with even former Liverpool great Jamie Carragher weighing in on the action by Tweeting: "All Reds love your client, and if he is to leave next summer we will wish him well & say a big thank you. But we can do without this cryptic crap for the next 12 months! @MoSalah have a word!!"
But when Liverpool surprisingly delivered a response to Salah's agent, by Tweeting a 'hand on face' emoji themselves from the club's official Twitter account, it appear that they were not suitably impressed with Ramy Abbas Issa's antics.
As things turned out however, it was all an elaborate show that reeled in supporters hook, line and sinker, moments before revealing that their star player had signed a new deal to remain at Anfield.
Supporters have been concerned as to what might be Salah's next move after the club allowed strike partner Sadio Mane to leave the club for Bayern Munich last month. But after confirming that a new deal his been signed to keep the club's prolific goalscorer on Merseyside for the foreseeable future, the only emoji Liverpool fans will be sharing today is ones of happy faces.
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