A new contract? That's not the only thing Liverpool should give Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah deserves a statue in his honour alongside a brand new Liverpool contract. That's the opinion of Jermaine Pennant, who believes the Egypt captain deserves to be recognised as one of the all-time greats at Anfield for what he has achieved at the club.

Salah is Liverpool's leading scorer of the Premier League era and moved into the top 10 of the competition's history with his 160th goal in Sunday's 3-0 dismantling of Manchester United, which was his third of the new campaign.

The No.11 is inside the final year of his Reds contract and is free to speak to clubs outside England about a pre-contract agreement in January.

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And Pennant thinks a new deal should be an absolute priority for the decision makers at Liverpool

And the former wideman, who made 81 appearances for the club between 2006 and 2009 that included the 2007 Champions League final, says captain Virgil van Dijk must also be offered the chance to renew his deal before the end of the current campaign.

Pennant told MyBettingSites.co.uk: “There isn’t a shadow of a doubt that Salah will be considered a Liverpool great. Up there with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish.

“Look at what Dalglish and Stevie G have won and what Salah has won he should be up there. Stevie G didn’t win the league but you have to look at what he’s done and means to the club.

“Salah has won everything that a player can win for a football club and his numbers are outrageous for Liverpool.

“Every season 20 plus goals, assists. To do that year in year out puts you amongst the elite already. I’m sure there will be statues for Mo Salah."

Pennant continued: “Liverpool have to extend the contracts of Van Dijk and Salah. Just look at the physique and their sharpness.

“Salah looks like he’s in the best shape of his life at the moment. I would say Salah you have to extend. He’s been instrumental. Van Dijk, he’s your captain so you have to extend 100%.”

Liverpool return to action when they entertain Nottingham Forest on September 14.