Mohamed Salah's comments surrounding his future at Liverpool may have been an act "to get a bit more money", former Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale said on Wednesday.

Bale joined the TNT Sports team at Anfield ahead of Liverpool's clash with Madrid, just three days after Salah had caused a stir with speculation over his stay in Merseyside.

Salah scored twice against Southampton before saying he was "more out than in" due to a lack of action over his contract, which expires at the end of this season.

Reds great Jamie Carragher criticised those words from the Egypt star, with Bale following up by suggesting Salah will stay at Liverpool despite the ongoings.

"We never brought those things into conversation, it’s always about training or general life," Bale said before Liverpool's 2-0 win over Madrid at Anfield.

"I can't imagine that's going to affect anyone, it's going to be sorted out upstairs with his agent.  

"I'm sure he's just making noise to just get a bit more money to be honest!"

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand defended Salah's actions, claiming no wrongdoing or harm could be done from his honesty.

"The big thing is he hasn't been out of order," Ferdinand added on punditry duties. "He hasn't been disrespectful; he's just stated some facts.

"As team-mates, that's all you care about. Is he still with us? Mo Salah is scoring goals week in, week out.

"He wants to win here and it sounds like he wants to stay – but for a bit more money."

The ongoings may have been playing on Salah's mind against Madrid, having missed a second-half penalty with Liverpool leading 1-0 after Alexis Mac Allister's opener.

It was just the second penalty Salah has not converted, scuffing the post from 12 yards in the competition from seven attempts.

Kylian Mbappe also failed with his own spot-kick at the other end prior to that, as Caoimhin Kelleher saved to keep the Reds ahead, before Cody Gakpo's late header made sure of all three points.

That victory ensured Liverpool are through the 36-team stage in the Champions League, at least guaranteed a play-off game, though that is unlikely considering they lead the table with 15 points.