Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Mohamed Salah is “100 per cent committed” to Liverpool amid transfer interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that Salah and Paul Pogba are the Saudi Pro League’s marquee targets as they look to recruit the best players in world football, with champions Al Ittihad prepared to offer Salah that exceed what Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are earning at Al Nassr and Inter Miami respectively.
Liverpool have made it clear that they have no intention of parting ways with Salah, who only signed a new contract last summer to commit his future to Anfield until 2025. But Al Ittihad feel there’s a chance to get the Egyptian away from Merseyside, and may yet try to tempt the Reds into selling with a sizeable offer.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have both departed for Saudi Arabia this summer, to Al Ettifaq and Al Ittihad, but speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Klopp suggested the noise around Salah is nothing more than speculation and that he remains fully committed to the club.
“There’s a lot going on around us but that’s it. There’s speculation and I think that’s completely normal at this moment in time,” Klopp said. “Mo is a super experienced player and 100 per cent committed to us here, to the club,No, I don’t worry about that to be honest.”
Klopp went on to say that an exit for Salah this summer would be “catastrophic” for Liverpool, with Saudi Pro League clubs able to purchase players until September 20 – an extra 19 days from clubs around Europe.
“A normal club in the Premier League or in other leagues, it’s always possible that a big club comes in and wants players off you. Now that market is extended,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m worried about it or not, we will have to see.
“We have our own experience with it, with Hendo and Fabinho. But in general, what is a real problem is the longer transfer window. It’s a real problem because as long as you have the chance to react it’s pretty much part of the business a little bit.
“When we can’t react anymore it’s a catastrophe. That’s the truth. That’s why I asked already, a few weeks ago, the authorities to maybe have a look at that would be really bad if they can just pick players.”
Klopp expects to have Salah available when Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, fresh from opening his goal account for the season in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
