'World-class' Salah does talking on the pitch, says Cahill

The Egyptian signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool on Friday, ending months of discussions on what would happen at the end of the season, when his current contract had been due to run out.

Salah, who joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017, has been in exceptional form in 2024-25, scoring 32 goals and registering 22 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions this season.

His 44 league goal involvements (27 goals, 17 assists) in 2024-25 is the joint-most by a single player in a 38-game season in the competition, along with Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Erling Haaland (2022-23).

In fact, Salah is averaging 1.44 goal involvements per 90 minutes in the top-flight this campaign, helping Liverpool to an 11-point lead at the top of the table.

Cahill, who played alongside Salah at Chelsea in 2013-14 and 2014-15, believes the 32-year-old did not let the uncertainty of his future get in the way of his performances.

Speaking to Stats Perform at the UEFA Europa League and Conference League Trophy Tour powered by Flix, he said: "I played with Mo when he was a lot younger. What a player, you know, world-class, world-class player.

"And his stats and his numbers have been incredible. But it's natural you're going to have talk around this [his future]. It's natural you've got a world-class player, a huge club, and there's always going to be talk and speculation about it.

"The thing is, I just feel like he does his talking on the pitch. You've added a little bit of noise; I still feel like it's been managed pretty well, and I feel like most performances this season have shown that he's fully, fully committed, and that's all I'm sure everybody wants.

"When I played, you know, whatever's happening separately with a person's or a player's individual contract is kind of their business, if that makes sense. But as long as you fully commit to the squad and the group and everything else, then there's no issues with anybody, and that's what you see.

"The manager [Arne Slot] speaks very highly of him, and Mo gives 110% every time he plays. So, he's world-class, and he's a big reason why Liverpool are going to win this trophy."

Another Liverpool player whose contract is set to run out in June is captain Virgil van Dijk, with reports suggesting he is also close to signing a new two-year deal with the Reds.

Since he made his Liverpool debut in January 2018, Van Dijk has made the second-most clearances of any Premier League defender (991), trailing only James Tarkowski (1,427).

In that time, he has also played a part in 97 league clean sheets – only Ederson (106) has played a part in more.

This season, he has been an ever-present figure for Liverpool, playing every single minute in the Premier League this term.

Cahill expects Van Dijk to get his new deal over the line and credits his influence as a big factor in Liverpool's dominance in their push for the Premier League title.

"They've had a great season in terms of the Premier League, especially," he said. "They've been the clear best team, and I'm sure they'll go on and pick the trophy up.

"He's a leader, he's a big presence, he's one of the best centre-backs in European football. He's had a hell of a career, and it doesn't look like he's slowing down even at the age he's at now.

"I'm a big admirer of him, and I'm sure they'll come to a conclusion between himself and the club. I actually like how it's played out, you don't hear much.