‘I hope’ – Liverpool ace sends clear message to ‘special’ teammate amid uncertain future

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has sent a clear message to teammate Mohamed Salah amid growing uncertainty surrounding the Egyptian’s long-term future.

The Reds have enjoyed a fantastic 2024/25 season so far despite going through a managerial transition without dipping into their wallet.

Arne Slot has done a remarkable job picking up where Jurgen Klopp left off and has transformed the Reds into a force to be reckoned with both at home and abroad.

Since the Dutchman took over, Liverpool have tasted defeat just once across all competitions, falling 1-0 at home to surprise package Nottingham Forest in mid-September.

The Merseyside giants have gone 21 games unbeaten since then, boasting the second-best attack and the joint meanest defence in the league.

Salah has been the major driving force behind Liverpool’s title bid.

The Egyptian has notched 15 goals and 11 assists in 16 league games, becoming the first Premier League player to hit double figures in goals and assists before Christmas.

His brace in the 6-3 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur sent him up to fourth on Liverpool’s all-time top scorers list, sending a clear message to the club as contract talks hit a roadblock.

Speaking on the 32-year-old, Gakpo insisted that Liverpool are ‘lucky’ to have a player of Salah’s ability.

“I don’t know what to say,” Gakpo said in an interview (via the club’s official website).

“It’s very special what we are all witnessing. The amount of goals he scores but the assists he gives as well.

“The way he plays the game – how he puts other attacking players or midfielders like myself in a position to score and to be dangerous is from a high level.

“I hope for us, and for him, that he can continue doing that for a long time.

“We are very lucky to have him and proud that we can be his teammate and try to make him better. And he is trying to make us better as well.”

Despite Salah’s rampant form, contract talks with the club have yet to yield any positive results. It remains to be seen if the ex-Chelsea forward will stay at Anfield beyond this summer.

Read more: Shay Given says Liverpool can’t afford to lose ‘phenomenal’ Mohamed Salah