'Angry': Martin Keown says 'fantastic' player has improved due to what Liverpool are doing behind-the-scenes
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Mohamed Salah caused shockwaves across Merseyside this week with his comments about his new contract.
Salah said that he's not been offered a new contract by Liverpool.
Salah wanted to get that point off his chest. Indeed, Salah actively sought journalists to tell his side of the story after the Southampton game.
As of now, Liverpool haven't budged on this front, and according to Martin Keown, speaking on TNT Sports, that may be a stroke of genius.
Indeed, Keown believes that this situation may actually be getting the best out of Salah as he's playing out of his skin in order to prove a point to Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah is playing better due to contract situation
Keown shared his theory about Salah and his form.
The pundit says that Salah is playing better due to the fact he wants a new contract and he's looking to prove himself.
Salah is a Ballon d'Or contender in the eyes of some after his incredible start to the season.
"It seems to be really getting the best out of Salah that he's not actually been offered a new contract," Keown said.
"It's like he's playing angry, it's like 'don't forget me.' I'm still in fantastic shape.
"It's making him motivated, I wouldn't say it's taking away from his performances, but how long can you get away with this situation? At some point you have to resolve it."
Mohamed Salah's stats before his last contract
Keown says that Salah has stepped things up because he's looking for a new contract, and there may be some truth behind that.
Indeed, Salah has been in this situation before.
Back in the 2021/22 season, Salah was just about to enter the final year of his contract, and he was after a renewal that summer.
Ultimately, Liverpool would give Salah a new deal in 2022, and that came off the back of a truly incredible season.
| Mohamed Salah stats 2021/22 | |
| Games | 35 |
| Goals | 23 |
| Assists | 13 |
Salah won both the Golden Boot and the Playmaker Award that year, and he could be on track to do the same again this season.
It's certainly interesting to note how a player's form can change based around their contract situations, and while Salah's performances never truly dip, he does, coincidentally, always seem to find his best form when it is time to sit down and discuss a new deal.
