01 September 2023 , 09:58
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Jurgen Klopp insists nothing has changed when it comes to Al-Ittihad's interest in Mohamed Salah, but has expressed wider concerns about the impact being made by the Saudi Pro League.
The reigning Saudi champions have been exploring the possibility of a £150m move for the Egypt forward, who finished last season as Liverpool's top scorer. Salah's agent Ramy Abbas Issa said earlier in the window that his client wouldn't be moving, but late efforts could still be made by Nuno Espirito Santo's team.
Salah is under contract at Liverpool until 2025, but the Reds have already seen three stars move to Saudi Arabia this summer. The Saudi transfer window runs for overseas transfers until September 7, meaning deals could yet go through without European teams having time to replace their stars.
"The position remains the same absolutely," Klopp told reporters ahead of Liverpool's Premier League game against Aston Villa. "That's how it is. Nothing else to say. No offer as far as I know."
Liverpool have already sold Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi clubs this summer, with the pair joining Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq respectively. Roberto Firmino is also playing in the competition, having joined Al-Ahli after the expiry of his Reds contract.
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Klopp admitted he has yet to watch any action from Saudi Arabia, but recognises the increase in quality brought by some of those to move to the gulf state. The likes of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante have also completed Saudi moves this summer, and Klopp is wary of the potential threat to teams in the Premier League and beyond.
Do you agree with Klopp about Saudi Arabia? Have your say in the comments section
Mohamed Salah remains a Liverpool player for now (MDI/REX/Shutterstock)"I think the next two weeks will show how much of a challenge it is, because whatever happens there, obviously, nobody can react any more," Klopp said. "That's something I think UEFA or whoever should have an eye on. Because we all have to protect the game, and we want [to].
"It's not illegal, it's the game, and obviously I love all my players who play now in Saudi Arabia. It's not like it distracts me now from my watching habits, but we have to make sure all these European leagues... stay as strong as they are.
"We always can help from these kinds of things, like changing rules slightly, adapting rules, making some laws, whatever. We're all a bit surprised probably in that sense, by the activity from Saudi Arabia, but it happened a lot. A lot of players went there and it improves the league there, definitely.
"That's the situation, so I don't know where it will lead to but it feels rather like a threat or a concern than not, to be honest, because I can't see how we really can deny it in these specific moments. What can we do? Say no? That's the difference between the contracts here and the contracts there that causes problems, 100 per cent."