Liverpool’s ‘world-class player’ could now become the focal point of a massive transfer battle
Saudi clubs are reportedly fighting to sign Mohamed Salah, with the Liverpool star now a top target for several teams.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Al-Ittihad will join a number of its rivals in January in trying to sign Salah, who remains a favored target of Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool rejected a record bid from Al-Ittihad towards the end of the summer window, although there are now expected to be further offers for Salah in the January window.
Recently hailed as ‘world class’ by Garth Crooks, fears could soon arise at Anfield that Salah will leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia in 2024.
And the striker who will soon become the center of a massive transfer battle between Middle Eastern clubs could pose a major problem for the Reds, who do not want to lose Salah.
In fact, Al-Ittihad’s summer bid could be just a taste of what’s in store for Liverpool, and Salah’s loss to Saudi Arabia could soon reach 11, with other clubs taking part.
Liverpool must reject any Saudi approach to Salah
The threat from Saudi Arabia is very real for Liverpool when it comes to Salah and more clubs coming into the game will do little to calm their nerves before January.
The 31-year-old is clearly PIF’s top target for 2024 and Liverpool could find themselves in a situation where it will be impossible to refuse an overwhelming offer for Salah.
However, the Reds must stay strong and Salah staying beyond this season is a real possibility if results on the pitch are good and Saudi Arabia’s lure for the striker can fade.
Liverpool pulled off a transfer masterstroke when Klopp announced ‘signing of the season’
Liverpool are often right when buying players in the transfer market. Jürgen Klopp has certainly done it again with a season contender.
Jurgen Klopp on Dominik Szoboszlai’s performance against Wolves
It goes without saying that five games into the Premier League season it is still too early to think too much about the future and claim a title challenge.
Liverpool just need to continue to perform as they have done so far and keep picking up points.
But there are also some conclusions that already seem certain. Liverpool could probably have signed a new defender, as expected, while Mohamed Salah remains crucial.
New signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai already look like bargains.
The first didn’t go well against the Wolves, but the mitigating factors are evident.
He will also look much better if he manages to play his favorite and more advanced role.
But even though Szoboszlai struggled for a while at Molineux, he also gained the confidence that he could turn the game around when Liverpool played with the Hungarian captain and Curtis Jones in midfield in the second half.
Mac Allister was replaced by Luis Díaz and Liverpool came back with success thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson and a deflected shot from Harvey Elliott.
Salah’s trio of assists were of course a major factor in the comeback victory, but what changed noticeably to give the Egyptian a platform was the level of control Liverpool were ultimately able to exert .
What was crucial was the improved performances of Jones and Szoboszlai in the second half (the former had previously remained anonymous and the latter a pale imitation of himself).
“I love him,” former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch told 90Min this week when asked about Szoboszlai.
“I’m jumping on the bandwagon straight away. Obviously I’ve got a lot of Liverpool fans as friends and a lot of Scousers who are still family and absolutely love it.
“He’s a classy guy. I saw him some time before he signed for Liverpool, but I’m surprised at how well he’s doing at Anfield.
Even in the first game he was there like a Rolls Royce.” He is a class artist. He could be one of the new signings of the season – he is that good.
For the first half hour or so at Wolves, that prediction didn’t look so good. But the second half better reflects Szoboszlai’s true level.
Even for $76m (£61m/€70m), the former RB Leipzig player looks like a real bargain and a masterstroke of signing.
Each new positive sign from the 22-year-old makes it all the more remarkable that Liverpool – and to some extent Newcastle, before he made his preference clear – were the only team seriously expecting him.
