Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists everyone is clear on what they want from Mohamed Salah's contract negotiations but the complexity of them means time will be needed.
The Egypt international is approaching the final 18 months of his deal and talks have been ongoing for some time but the impasse appears to be the 29-year-old's wage demands, reported to be in excess of $A550,000, which would smash the club's salary structure.
Owners Fenway Sports Group are not in the habit of handing out long, expensive deals to players past 30, an age Salah reaches in June, but considering his form and fitness there is an argument for an exception to be made.
"If the decision is up to me, I want to stay in Liverpool but the decision is in the hands of the management and they have to solve this issue," Salah reportedly told MBC Masr TV.
Klopp, however, believes they are on the same page.
"We know exactly what he's about and we are talking," Klopp said on Monday.
"Extending a contract with a player like Mo is not a thing you do where you meet for a cup of tea in the afternoon and find agreement.
"That's completely normal.
"There's really nothing else to say about Mo.
"He speaks about it and I can only say a few things because all the rest is not for the public, obviously.
"I'm not sure if he gave the interview in English or it got translated from Arabic into English and this is a massive issue as we say in the last few days again.
"A lot of things can happen when somebody tries to do that.
"Mo is fine, I'm fine, I think what we all want is clear and things like this need time, that's it."
Klopp refused to be drawn on whether Salah will start Liverpool's Champions League tie against AC Milan in San Siro on Tuesday.
Liverpool could become the first English club to win all six matches of the group phase, a feat only achieved seven times prior to this season, but having already won the group, and with a busy festive programme looming, Klopp plans to make significant changes.
"We have to rotate, we will rotate," the Reds boss said.
Australian Associated Press
