Ex-Premier League boss claims Mohamed Salah was ready to leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia last season but Jurgen Klopp exit changed his mind

The Egyptian superstar was heavily linked with a move to the Middle East in the summer of 2023, with big-money bids reportedly being tabled. Said interest rumbled on into 2024, with Salah approaching the final year of his contract at Anfield.

It was, however, to be Klopp that headed for the exits, as the German tactician bid farewell to Merseyside at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Salah remains a prolific presence for Liverpool, with the 30-goal mark being reached again this season.

Things could have been very different had he pushed for a switch to the Saudi Pro League, with ex-West Ham manager Bilic – who has spent time in that region working with Al Fateh – telling The LineUp, via BetMGM and talkSPORT: "There has definitely been a change this season under Arne Slot as, having been in Saudi Arabia last year, I know he wasn’t happy under Jurgen Klopp and we were expecting him to move.

“The whole of Saudi was ready for him and he would have been the star of the league. As far as we were all concerned, it was done and Mo Salah was going to join Al-Ittihad. I wasn’t surprised he didn’t move, though. He knows the move is there for him when he wants to leave Liverpool. It’s not a one-year 'take it or leave it' project in Saudi.”

Salah could be on the move in 2025, as he is yet to sign a contract extension at Liverpool. He is currently in the process of helping the Reds chase down Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup titles, with no official decision being made on his future.