After months of speculation, Liverpool fans can now breathe a sigh of relief after the Reds confirmed Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract at Anfield on Friday.
The Egypt international has signed a three-year deal to remain on Merseyside and, after already losing Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, Liverpool can now look forward to the new campaign with their prize asset tied down.
Salah's decision to stay put means Liverpool can now focus their attention on more transfer business and getting ready for the new campaign, and his commitment can only aid their cause to win the Premier League title, for which they are available at 2/1.
Liverpool negotiate to keep Salah
Salah's previous contract was due to expire in 12 months' time, but after months of negotiations, Liverpool chiefs finally agreed to meet his demands.
Reports suggest Liverpool will now pay Salah in excess of £350,000 a week, and the Reds have used some of the money they received for Sadio Mane to improve Salah's terms.
Jurgen Klopp has always tried to reassure fans that a deal would be done, and the German has claimed there is more to come from the former Chelsea and Roma man.
He told the club's official website: "I have no doubt Mo's best years are still to come. And that's saying something because the first five seasons here have been the stuff of legend.
"It is just great news. It makes me smile thinking about it. He stays with us for longer, and it means we can achieve more together."
By keeping Salah, Liverpool have had to buck the trend and alter their wage structure, but a player like Salah perhaps deserves that treatment.
The sale of both Mane and Divock Origi has freed up some vital funds, and rather than use them for any future incoming deals, Liverpool have done the right thing to reward Salah for his hard work during the last five seasons.
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Securing Salah helps grow Liverpool's appeal
Liverpool remain one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and they came close to winning four trophies last season, but sadly they were unable to become the first English team to win the quadruple.
Klopp's side lost the Champions League final in Paris to Real Madrid, but they will be one of the favourites to compete for the biggest honour in European football in 2023.
While Liverpool's ability to sign some of the world's best players is strong, their position would have been under threat if they failed to tie down Salah, who is 7/1 to be named PFA Player of the Year next season.
The Egyptian has already seen Mane move on for a new challenge, while Roberto Firmino is likely to only be around for another 12 months at the most.
While title rivals Manchester City significantly strengthening their forward line by signing Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, Liverpool knew they simply had to keep Salah,
With the 30-year-old definitely staying put and Darwin Nunez through the door, the Reds will now feel they can breathe a sigh of relief, and if any potential signings had doubts about making the switch to the Premier League giants, they now know they will get the chance to play alongside one of the best forwards in the world.
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What can we expect from Salah this season?
Even though Salah has now become the highest-paid player in Liverpool history, he is likely to be the same dangerous forward that everyone knows.
He has scored an incredible 156 goals in 254 appearances since joining from Roma, and the fan favourite will be hungry for more goals and individual accolades.
He shared last year's Golden Boot award with Tottenham's Son Heung-Min and is priced at 9/2 to win the award on his own next season.
Although he is only 30, Salah will be one of the leaders in what looks like a new era at Anfield.
Summer signings Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay, have all been sold a long-term vision at Anfield, and Klopp will use Salah to try and nurture the club's new additions.
Keeping Salah is not only a bonus for Liverpool in a footballing sense, but he helps them grow their name across the world, not that they need it. The winger is a superstar back home in Egypt, and his decision to stay put helps Liverpool off the pitch just as much as it does on it.
Salah and Liverpool have been a match made in heaven since they first teamed up, and the future looks bright at Anfield with their prize asset now set to stay put for his prime years.
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