Rio Ferdinand defends Mohamed Salah over contract stand-off with Liverpool and insists Egyptian star has NOT ‘been disrespectful’ to the Merseyside giants

Rio Ferdinand has jumped to the defence of Mohamed Salah amid his contract stand-off with Liverpool. 

The Egyptian’s deal is set to expire at the end of this season and he recently claimed in a shock interview that there are no new offers to stay from Liverpool chiefs.

The forward, 32, conducted a rare interview with Mail Sport and a small group of other reporters after scoring twice in the 3-2 victory at Southampton, where he said he was ‘more out than in’ and criticised the club.

It drew criticism from the likes of club legend Jamie Carragher who claimed that Salah was ‘selfish’ by venting his frustration in public but now Ferdinand has argued back.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday night, Ferdinand said: ‘He hasn’t been disrespectful. He’s just stating facts. 

‘As team-mates you’re thinking: Is he still with us? Mo Salah is scoring goals week-in, week-out (so he is). He wants to stay, but for a bit more money’.

Despite recent backlash, Rio Ferdinand insisted that the Egyptian was not being ‘disrespectful’

Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was also on punditry duty and agreed as he claimed that Salah was likely looking to ‘get more money’ in his deal.

Bale said: ‘We never bring those things into conversation. It’s always about training or general life. I can’t imagine it’ll affect anybody. 

‘It’s for people upstairs to sort out with his agent. I’m sure he’s just making noise to try and get more money to be honest!’

Despite his public criticisms, Salah remained in Liverpool’s starting line-up for their clash against Spanish giants Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

As reported by Mail Sport, Liverpool turned down a lucrative £150m bid from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad in 2023. On that occasion, the Reds were unable to compete with a jaw-dropping tax-free salary of £1.25m-a-week on offer from the club.

Addressing his contract stand-off on Sunday, Salah said: ‘We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club. 

‘I’m probably more out than in. You know I have been in the club for many years. 

The forward, 32, conducted a rare interview with Mail Sport and a small group of other reporters

Ferdinand was joined by Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale ahead of Liverpool vs Real Madrid 

‘There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said, it is December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future.

‘I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands.’

Fuming Liverpool supporters labelled the club’s owners as ’embarrassing’ and ‘unforgivable’ in the wake of Salah’s revelation.

Salah has started this season on fire under new manager Arne Slot, scoring 12 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions.