Liverpool's last-minute U-turn on Mohamed Salah transfer and the 'problem' it has caused

Liverpool were inches away from Mohamed Salah leaving for Saudi Arabia last season, according to Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh.

The Anfield hero has netted 25 goals and contributed 14 assists in his seventh season in red. However, there's a reality where he wouldn't have suited up for Jurgen Klopp's final Liverpool campaign after he reportedly agreed a deal to join Al-Ittihad of the Saudi Pro League.

While speculation surrounding Salah's future was rife last season with the Saudi club offering £150million for his services, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, the Egyptian remained on Merseyside to further his legacy.

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In an interview with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority was asked whether Salah would be playing in the Saudi Pro League next season.

The 42-year-old then revealed how close the league had come to landing the football superstar as he told Helwani: "I don't have information [this year], but I have information last year. He was accept, but Liverpool changed their mind in the last second.

"He was accept and I think this is one of the problems what he have in this year with his team." Alalshikh's suggestion of a problem could be related to Salah's poor form since his return from injury in March, where he's scored a mere three goals in 10 league games during the Premier League run-in.

Despite his disappointing showing, contract talks are planned with Salah's deal expiring in the summer of 2025 as Liverpool hope to keep their talisman for the beginning of their new era with Arne Slot expected to succeed Jurgen Klopp with Liverpool agreeing a compensation fee with Feyenoord for the Dutchman's services.

The Reds are also expected to deal with the contract situations of Trent Alexander-Arnold and captain Virgil van Dijk with both of their deals also expiring next summer. Meanwhile, they've already said goodbye to both Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara who will leave the club on a free transfer this summer.

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