Mo Salah’s agent told him Liverpool were ‘very far’ apart in contract talks last year and feared they wouldn’t sign a new deal at Anfield as never-before-seen details are of the negotiations are shared as a Harvard case study

A Harvard Business School study has revealed key details about Mohamed Salah’s extensive contract negotiations with Liverpool last year.

In the summer of 2022, Salah entered the final year of his Liverpool contract and faced a big decision on whether to sign a new contract or potentially leave the club.

The winger had just completed another exceptional season, scoring 31 goals in all competitions as the Reds won two trophies and narrowly missed out on two others. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool were keen to keep him and began discussions over a new deal, which Harvard Business School was made aware of as part of a study at the leading US university.

They have now released never-before-seen details of their investigation. Salah posted their statement on his social media on Sunday and it appears that discussions between the two sides were far from simple.

‘I’m beginning to fear that we may not be able to agree on a new contract, Mohamed. Their latest offer is still far from what we want,” Salah was told by his lawyer and advisor Ramy Abbas Issa. phone call in June 2022.

Salah and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were ‘very far’ apart at one point during the talks

But Salah made it clear he wanted to stay and eventually signed a new contract

The survey shows that Salah has full confidence in Abbas, as he says: ‘We are partners. I know he will always do what is best for me.”

Yet the Egyptian star was determined not to give up hope of committing his future to Liverpool. He told Abbas: ‘I want to stay at Liverpool. But the club has to show that they want me too.’

The two men had a lengthy telephone conversation in which they made a counter-offer before returning for talks with Liverpool.

Their strategy worked as in early July, Salah finally put pen to paper on a new contract to keep him at Anfield until 2025.

Signing the deal ended the possibility of him running out of contract and leaving on a free transfer in 2023. Salah also got what he wanted when he became Liverpool’s highest-paid player ever after agreeing wages of almost £400,000 a week.

He didn’t rest on his laurels after securing his new contract either, as he was one of Liverpool’s standouts in a disappointing season last season, reaching the 30-goal mark again.

Salah remains one of Liverpool’s key players and has made an exciting start to the season

His commitment was tested again this summer when Saudi side Al-Ittihad Liverpool made a £215 million bid for Salah at the end of the transfer window.

Liverpool knocked back their bid, and despite West Ham striker Michail Antonio claiming Salah was ‘ready to leave’, he remained at Anfield.

Salah has not let the speculation surrounding his future affect his performances on the pitch as Jurgen Klopp’s men have made a strong start to the season.

The 31-year-old has scored three goals and four assists in Liverpool’s first six league games, putting his team in second place, just two points behind leaders Manchester City.