Ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Liverpool’s refusal to give in to Mo Salah‘s contract demands is driven by their concerns over compromising their wage structure.

Wenger, who has direct experience of it happening at the Gunners when Mesut Ozil signed a £350,000 a week contract in 2018, says handing out such lucrative deals actually leads to more issues down the line:

“It sorts one problem out and creates another one straight away. You’re sometimes in this position. You have to do the maximum to keep this player knowing that other players are not far from him, but there is not enough money anymore to satisfy them because you’ve spent too much on this one.”

“He [Salah] has had an exceptional season and since he’s come in, every year he’s been better. He deserves his contract. The only thing is that once they are 30 years old, it’s always how long do you sign then because you know the best paid is already over their peak.”

Salah has reportedly rejected a £400,000 a week contract offer from the Reds so it is understandable why the Merseyside club are refusing to increase their proposal. There would be a sizeable disparity between the 29-year-old’s earnings and his teammates, which could harm squad harmony.

Talks are said to have ended in December last year but it is believed that discussions have reopened in recent weeks with both sides looking for a compromise. Whether one will be found before the Egyptian’s contract expires at the end of next season, we shall have to wait and see.