‘Nothing’ in speculation linking Salah to Saudi, says Klopp

Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah reacts during the medal ceremony at the end of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. – Real Madrid claimed a 14th European Cup after beating Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final at the Stade de France, in France. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Liverpool manager dismissed suggestions on Friday that Mohamed Salah could become the latest star name to depart European football for Saudi Arabia.

According to reports, Al-Ittihad is trying to lure the Egyptian to the Gulf state with a huge salary offer that would rival the deals that enticed Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to the Gulf kingdom.

Salah signed a three-year contract extension at Anfield just over 12 months ago and his agent has previously poured cold water on speculation of a move.

“If we considered leaving LFC this year, we wouldn’t have renewed the contract last summer. Mohamed remains committed to LFC,” Ramy Abbas posted on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this month.

Liverpool’s plans for the transfer window have already been thrown into chaos by the loss of midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi clubs, and Klopp said the club would not consider any offers for Salah.

“Talk about media stories,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Newcastle. “Nothing to talk about from my point of view—Mo Salah is a Liverpool player.

“He is an essential player, was and will be. There is nothing there. If there was, the answer would be no.”

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