Roy Keane makes Arsenal claim after Mohamed Salah signs new Liverpool deal | Football

Roy Keane praised Liverpool for keeping Mohamed Salah at Anfield and insists he is so ‘special’ Arsenal would have won the Premier League if he was part of the Gunners team.

The Premier League trophy will be heading to Anfield in a matter of weeks after Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table over the weekend.

Arsenal were only able to draw 1-1 at home with Brentford on Saturday and Liverpool subsequently beat West Ham 2-1 to move 13 points clear with six games remaining.

It was the perfect end to the week for a Liverpool fanbase that already had cause for celebration following news Salah had finally ended speculation over his future by signing a new deal with the club.

Salah’s previous deal was due to run out in the summer and the Egyptian superstar had been linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

Advertisement

However, it was announced on Friday that Salah, the best player in the Premier League this season, had put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with Liverpool.

Ex-Manchester United captain Keane believes it was crucial for Liverpool to tie ‘special player’ Salah down to a new deal and claimed Arsenal would have won the league if he plied his trade at the Emirates Stadium rather than Anfield.

‘He does it week in, week out,’ Keane said on Sky Sports prior to Liverpool’s narrow victory over West Ham. ‘He scores goals, assists.

‘Put it this way, if you put him in the Arsenal team, Arsenal win the league this year. That’s how special he is.

‘I’m glad he got the deal done because you want the top players playing in the Premier League and he deserves it.

‘He’s a special play and no doubt a good pro, he’s doing the business so they had to give him the deal. They couldn’t let him walk out the door on a free.’

After committing his future to Liverpool, Salah – who has scored 243 goals for the club – said: ‘Of course I’m very excited – we have a great team now.

‘Before we also had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.

‘I have played eight years here, hopefully it’s going to be 10. I’m enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I have had the best years of my career here.’

Liverpool looked set to follow Arsenal in dropping points this weekend after an Andy Robertson own goal cancelled out Luis Diaz’s opener at Anfield.

But Reds captain Virgil van Dijk, also close to signing a contract extension, popped up with a late winner to put Liverpool even further clear in the title race.

Discussing his future after the win over West Ham, Van Dijk said: ‘I can tell you that I am very proud to captain my 100th game for Liverpool and it was an emotional day because of the Hillsborough anniversary.

‘That was the main focus – to get three points and get a step closer to all of our dreams. Not just us as players or staff, but everyone connected to Liverpool FC.

‘Everyone knows how much I love this club so let’s see what next week will look like.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Alan Shearer tells Man Utd to replace two players after dismal Newcastle defeat

MORE: Altay Bayindir sends message to Man Utd fans after embarrassing Newcastle blunder

MORE: ‘He did really well’ – Ruben Amorim praises Man Utd defender after Newcastle defeat