No matter the level of talk surrounding his future at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah has always kept his eyes fixated on the grand prize. This week, it has again been said he is closer to leaving this summer than staying yet the Merseyside derby and Premier League title race take precedence.

Wednesday's fixture against Everton is not only pivotal for securing local bragging rights but also to gain an even healthier advantage in the Premier League title race. With victory, Liverpool are able to move nine points ahead of second-placed Arsenal heading towards the final three months of the season.

Salah is evidently in high spirits over the prospect. Rested after staying home for the recent weekend's FA Cup elimination at Plymouth Argyle, the 32-year-old posted an update to X to show off his ear-to-ear grin in Tuesday's training.

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The images show Salah is as relaxed as ever heading into the derby - and the Liverpool man will be hoping for another stellar performance. It comes following the latest update on the forward's future, with his contract at Anfield still set to expire at the end of the current campaign.

On Monday, former Reds teammate Dejan Lovren - still a close friend of the Egyptian - expressed his thoughts on ongoing contract negotiations between Salah and the club. "We are still in touch. We talk every now and then, yes. I have to be careful what I say now, because I know a lot of things. Honestly, I don’t know the exact numbers, but whatever he’s asking for, I think he deserves it. It’s simple, this guy is doing his job on the pitch," the defender explained.

"Don’t look at his age, some will say he’ll be 33, but look at Ronaldo, he’s 40 and still playing. Mohamed Salah is still scoring goals, he’s in great physical and mental shape.

"He’s still playing for the national team, so what’s the problem? He’s seven or eight years younger [than Cristiano]. So what’s the problem with Salah? Nobody can find an answer, that’s why I find it difficult.

"I can talk in more detail. Salah believes that there are things missing from the club side, and I hope they’ll be resolved soon. But the current reality is that he’s closer to leaving than staying.

"Everyone wants him to stay, and I personally want him to stay. I called him one day and said: 'Mo, you have to think about yourself. Look at everything you've given this club and what you can still give'. In the end, I came to the conclusion that the club doesn't respect him enough, or at least not as much as they think they deserve, but that's another side of the story, it's all about what goes on behind the scenes."

It is the latest in a string of conversations about the topic throughout the season. Of course Salah himself has contributed greatly to debate, expressing the same sentiment in January and before that highlighting disappointment at the lack of a renewal offer from his employers come the late stages of November.

But the largest part of his talking has been done silently, much like this latest post. No words, just goals and assists on the field of play for Liverpool and Arne Slot. Record after record continue to be hunted down with Salah on 25 goals and 18 assists for the term.

Cross-city rivals Everton will present a stern challenge as always, but especially on the occasion of their last Goodison derby. His next task, the one he has kept focus on, is to score at a stadium where he has not managed to since December 2021.