Liverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp
The German dismissed suggestions his winger could be a distraction.
Jurgen Klopp has once again ruled out a move for Mohamed Salah to Al-Ittihad, claiming the Liverpool winger is unfazed by the speculation surrounding him.
The Merseysiders rejected a £150m bid from the Saudi Pro League club shortly before Friday’s transfer window deadline, with Klopp insisting the rumor was a non-starter.
But Al-Ittihad’s interest will not go away and they are rumored to be preparing a stunning £200m bid when the Saudi window remains open for a few more days.
To make things even more interesting, Salah is believed to have been given time off early next week by the Egyptian FA to sort out his future and there is no need for him to join international duties immediately.
Despite the speculation surrounding him, Salah has been chosen to start Liverpool’s Premier League match against Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday. Klopp says there was never any doubt the 31-year-old would start and hit back at rumors of a bid from Al-Ittihad, calling them a “media story”.
Asked if he should have considered Salah’s full focus on the game against Villa, a stunned-looking Klopp said with a laugh: “I didn’t have to!”
– I didn’t have to, because it was a media story and it never came true.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah
Klopp remains adamant Salah will not leave.
“I have a big desk in my office, a lot of papers, I have a laptop, an iPad, everything I need, and none of them have been busy with this kind of news.
“So I have a lot of other things to do and that’s why we never thought about it.
“Mo was completely normal, I had a good week in training and no, there was nothing to think about from my point of view.”
Asked how Salah reacted to the rumors at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Klopp said: “From my point of view, I don’t see anything [to worry about]. “Mo is very committed, he is very involved out there training, he will be very involved in the management meetings this week. I have to deal with the facts and my facts are good, we are there and everything is gone.
Saudi clubs have already swooped for Liverpool twice this summer, with Fabinho moving to Al-Ittihad in a £40m deal and skipper Jordan Henderson joining Al-Ettifaq, while Ibrahima Konate and Alisson Becker have even been linked with moves.
