Johan Bakayoko thinks he could play for Liverpool but has ruled out moving to Saudi Arabia if he does leave PSV Eindhoven. The 21-year-old was on the scoresheet against the Reds as they lost 3-2 to the Dutch outfit in their final Champions League league phase game on Wednesday night.

The Belgium international has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League, and was the subject of rejected bids from Burnley in 2023. Meanwhile, Liverpool have frequently been reported as possible suitors for the forward.

With Mohamed Salah out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, and his future uncertain as a result, speculation regarding the Reds and Bakayoko continues with the Belgian deemed a possible viable long-term successor.

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He certainly made an impact against Liverpool on Wednesday at least, equalising after leaving both Jarell Quansah and Andy Robertson on the floor with a smart dummy before scoring past Caoimhin Kelleher with an emphatic finish across goal.

And while Bakayoko would have liked to have tested himself against a stronger Reds side, he admitted he thinks he is capable of playing for Liverpool.

"I definitely think that I can join Liverpool,” he replied when asked if he is up to the level of Arne Slot’s side. “We can be happy that we won against big names, but they didn't come with the strongest team either. It's a shame that they didn't come with the strongest team.

"I'm in a good place. I feel the confidence of the entire club. As long as that is there, I feel good, whether I play well or badly.

“I would not make such a move to Saudi Arabia now, no. I would not do it. But you have to look at every situation.

“Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves and you have to respect everyone's decision. With Matteo (Dams) I think there was more in it.

“Matteo has only been with the first team for six months. Towards the end, he didn't play anymore. When an offer like that comes, everyone has to think about themselves a little bit.

“He did that and we have to respect that. I personally think there was more in it, because I think Matteo is a real professional and a top player.

“I think it's a shame that he is leaving, but you also have to respect his decision."

Meanwhile, Bakayoko also addressed criticism from his own head coach, Peter Bosz, after he was one of the PSV players showboating towards the end of their victory over Liverpool.

While he admitted Bosz would not be happy, he insisted that it is how he prefers to play the game.

“I don't think the coach will be happy about it,” he conceded. “I think that's also why people come to the stadium. You saw how they reacted to that.

“I think that could be done a bit more. The coach has a different description of beautiful. I like gallery play, but he likes efficient football. I hear it straight from him, I know that already.”

A pacey, left-footed right-winger, Bakayoko has scored eight goals for PSV so far this season, after returning 14 goals and 14 assists from 48 appearances last year. In total, he boasts 29 goals and 22 assists from 112 appearances for the Eredivisie outfit, since making his senior debut in February 2022.