It was widely reported this week that Liverpool would step up contract negotiations with Mohamed Salah during the November international break. The 32-year-old was left out of the Egypt squad with the Pharaohs already qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Two top sources have confirmed Liverpool are in discussions with Mohamed Salah over a new contract, though there is a huge chasm between the demands of both parties and a nightmare scenario is now a distinct possibility.

Liverpool should enhance the feel-good factor around the club by ending the impasse over Salah's future. Give Mo his dough

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk spoke about Mohamed Salah after Saturday's victory over Aston Villa: "He's a special, special player [and has been] for so many years. "I see the hard work he puts in on a daily basis,

But amid all the recent furore over the Ballon d'Or - so tedious has the discourse around that award become, it is in danger of being renamed the Ballon Bore - there was one matter that was largely overlooked: Mohamed Salah wasn't even on the shortlist.