Liverpool star Mohamed Salah revealed that contract talks have proven to be a distraction for the Egyptian recently.
Salah has had a sensational season for Liverpool so far, scoring 28 goals and providing 10 assists in 38 games across all competitions.
The 29-year-old has established himself as the team’s biggest star and was reportedly demanding a sum of around £400,000 in weekly wages to renew his contract at Anfield.
Despite talks of Liverpool refusing to surpass their very strict salary cap, recent reports suggest that both parties reached an agreement.
In a recent interview with ESPN Brazil, Salah opened up on his country’s recent run where Egypt faced double disappointment in a span of two months.
The Pharaohs lost to Sadio Mane’s Senegal in heartbreaking fashion in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final on penalties back in February.
A month later, Egypt failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing another penalty shootout to the Lions of Teranga.
“We tried everything to win the African Cup of Nations and went to the final, lost on penalties,” he told ESPN Brazil.
“We fought hard to reach the final. People are proud of us. And in [World Cup] qualifying, we also lost on penalties.
“Now, I’m back at the club, I have to turn the key to Liverpool’s side, and focus on the team to win the trophies that we are fighting for this season.
“Mentally I have to be focused, concentrated. I know what I want, how professional I am. The most important thing is to focus on the team. The directors are happy, the companions too. Everyone is happy, I am happy.”
Salah has faced criticism lately for his extended goal drought as the winger failed to score from open play in the last nine games across all competitions.
“It’s hard to concentrate, but it’s not difficult. Because I know how to stay focused. But it’s tough. There are too many distractions, too many people talking about everything.
“The team was fine while I was at the African Cup of Nations, but they were like, ‘How much will you be there? When are you coming back?’,” he added.
