(Football news) In what might be a major blow for Real Madrid, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has confirmed that he will remain at Merseyside next season and has publicly expressed his desire to stay at Anfield after the end of his current contract, which is due to expire next year. The club are gearing up for the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday and will hope that victory in Paris will also motivate Sadio Mane to commit his future to the club.

Speaking at a press release, Mohamed Salah said “In my mind, I don't focus on the contract. I don't want to be selfish at all. I said two months ago it's about the team. It's an important week for us. I'm just focused on the team and winning the Champions League again. I want to see Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with the trophy in his hands and hopefully he gives it to me. I don't want to talk about the contract now, I'm staying next season for sure, that's clear." 

Despite talks of a contract renewal, the Egyptian has not signed an extension with Liverpool and has said that the reasons behind it are not financial. In an earlier interview, he said “I don't know, I have one year left. I think the fans know what I want, but in the contract it's not everything about the money at all. So I don't know, I can't tell you exactly. I have one year left and the fans know what I want. This club means a lot to me – I've enjoyed my football here more than anywhere, I gave the club everything and everybody saw that. I've had a lot of unbelievable moments here, winning trophies, individual goals, individual trophies. It's like a family here." 

Sadio Mane is another Liverpool player whose contract will expire next year and the Senegalese international was more coy about his future. The 30 year old said “This question [about my future] I will answer after the Champions League. If I stay or not, I'm going to answer after the Champions League." Mane has been a prolific goalscorer for Liverpool, netting 120 goals in 268 appearances for the club. He has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and victory in Paris might motivate him to seek a new challenge, having already won everything there is to win in England.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was asked if the outcome of the Champions League final could affect the futures of Salah and Mane. He said “No [it will not have an effect]. Not at all. What do you mean? If we win then will they want to go now? Or… We are in talks with all the players. But no [it has not affected the players], now is not the time. Sometimes players have this idea, we have another, sometimes they don't match immediately but we work together, we have known each other for ages. It's all fine. It is all clear, not one of them is waiting to hear from us what we want to do."

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