Salah a target for Saudi, confirms league chief

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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, confirmed its chief executive Omar Mugharbel.

The 33-year-old was left out of the squad that travelled to Inter Milan for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win after publicly falling out with manager Arne Slot and the club.

Following Saturday’s 3-3 Premier League draw at Leeds, Salah said he has been blamed for Liverpool’s poor form and his relationship with manager Slot had broken down.

While the Reds boss denied that and said Salah could still return, Mugharbel said clubs in Saudi Arabia are keen to sign the Egypt international.

“For sure Salah is one of them [a target].”

There have been reports Salah, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, could leave the Anfield club in January.

Saudi interest in Salah has long been known, with a reported £150m bid from Al-Ittihad rejected by Liverpool in September 2023, but this is the first time a league official has gone on the record about the player since his outburst.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who left the club in 2015, said Salah was a “bit emotional and a bit hasty” in giving the controversial interview on Saturday, where he felt he had been “thrown under the bus” after being dropped to the bench.

Gerrard told TNT Sports: “He’s obviously really upset he’s not playing, which I respect.

“A couple of lines about throwing people under the bus were wrong. [He] needs to reverse a little bit away from that, he needs to deal with that with the manager. We’ve all had head loss as players. We’ve all done emotional things.

“I know in time when this all calms, Mo will go, ‘I shouldn’t have said that. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I was a bit emotional, I was a bit hasty’.”

Gerrard compared the situation to former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez and manager Brendan Rodgers, who fell out in 2013 when the Uruguay forward tried to force a move away from Anfield.

Suarez was made to train alone but returned to the squad and stayed for one more season before joining Barcelona.

“I’ve seen this and I’ve lived it with Suarez when he fell out with Brendan face to face. I’ve been there and done it myself,” added Gerrard.

Since arriving from Roma in 2017, Salah has played a key role in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and 2019 Champions League triumph.

But he has scored only four goals in 13 Premier League games this season, with the defending champions 10th in the table – but only three points off fourth-placed Crystal Palace.

Liverpool host Brighton on Saturday at Anfield – two days before Salah joins Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament.

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  • Premier League
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    • 9 hours ago
    A stylised graphic image of Liverpool and Egypt footballer Mohamed Salah
    • 17 hours ago
    Arne Slot
    • 3 days ago

Salah a target for Saudi, confirms league chief

PA Media
  • 588 Comments

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, confirmed its chief executive Omar Mugharbel.

The 33-year-old was left out of the squad that travelled to Inter Milan for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win after publicly falling out with manager Arne Slot and the club.

Following Saturday’s 3-3 Premier League draw at Leeds, Salah said he has been blamed for Liverpool’s poor form and his relationship with manager Slot had broken down.

While the Reds boss denied that and said Salah could still return, Mugharbel said clubs in Saudi Arabia are keen to sign the Egypt international.

“For sure Salah is one of them [a target].”

There have been reports Salah, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, could leave the Anfield club in January.

Saudi interest in Salah has long been known, with a reported £150m bid from Al-Ittihad rejected by Liverpool in September 2023, but this is the first time a league official has gone on the record about the player since his outburst.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who left the club in 2015, said Salah was a “bit emotional and a bit hasty” in giving the controversial interview on Saturday, where he felt he had been “thrown under the bus” after being dropped to the bench.

Gerrard told TNT Sports: “He’s obviously really upset he’s not playing, which I respect.

“A couple of lines about throwing people under the bus were wrong. [He] needs to reverse a little bit away from that, he needs to deal with that with the manager. We’ve all had head loss as players. We’ve all done emotional things.

“I know in time when this all calms, Mo will go, ‘I shouldn’t have said that. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I was a bit emotional, I was a bit hasty’.”

Gerrard compared the situation to former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez and manager Brendan Rodgers, who fell out in 2013 when the Uruguay forward tried to force a move away from Anfield.

Suarez was made to train alone but returned to the squad and stayed for one more season before joining Barcelona.

“I’ve seen this and I’ve lived it with Suarez when he fell out with Brendan face to face. I’ve been there and done it myself,” added Gerrard.

Since arriving from Roma in 2017, Salah has played a key role in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and 2019 Champions League triumph.

But he has scored only four goals in 13 Premier League games this season, with the defending champions 10th in the table – but only three points off fourth-placed Crystal Palace.

Liverpool host Brighton on Saturday at Anfield – two days before Salah joins Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament.

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More on this story

    • 9 hours ago
    A stylised graphic image of Liverpool and Egypt footballer Mohamed Salah
    • 17 hours ago
    Arne Slot
    • 3 days ago

Salah a target for Saudi clubs, says league chief

PA Media
  • 1207 Comments

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, confirmed its chief executive Omar Mugharbel.

The 33-year-old was left out of the squad that travelled to Inter Milan for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win after publicly falling out with manager Arne Slot and the club.

Following Saturday’s 3-3 Premier League draw at Leeds, Salah said he has been blamed for Liverpool’s poor form and his relationship with manager Slot had broken down.

While the Reds boss denied that and said Salah could still return, Mugharbel said clubs in Saudi Arabia are keen to sign the Egypt international.

“For sure Salah is one of them [a target].”

There have been reports Salah, who signed a two-year contract extension in April, could leave the Anfield club in January.

Saudi interest in Salah has long been known, with a reported £150m bid from Al-Ittihad rejected by Liverpool in September 2023, but this is the first time a league official has gone on the record about the player since his outburst.

Not every Saudi club will be interested, with Al-Kholood chairman Ben Harburg calling Salah “a bad fit” and suggesting Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr would be a better signing.

“There’s already, even among the public, much more apprehension around his coming into the league,” Harburg said.

“He’s 33 years old, he got paid a boatload [at Liverpool] and has underperformed massively since then.

“I’m sure some people like his star power, he’s from the region, but my sentiment is that he is not a fit for our league. If it were between him and Vinicius, I’d take Vinicius.

“I’m hoping we go after those 25-year-old next-wave players rather than guys like Salah, who definitely this would be the last stop of his career.”

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who left the club in 2015, said Salah was a “bit emotional and a bit hasty” in giving the controversial interview on Saturday, where he felt he had been “thrown under the bus” after being dropped to the bench.

Gerrard told TNT Sports: “He’s obviously really upset he’s not playing, which I respect.

“A couple of lines about throwing people under the bus were wrong. [He] needs to reverse a little bit away from that, he needs to deal with that with the manager. We’ve all had head loss as players. We’ve all done emotional things.

“I know in time when this all calms, Mo will go, ‘I shouldn’t have said that. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I was a bit emotional, I was a bit hasty’.”

Gerrard compared the situation to former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez and manager Brendan Rodgers, who fell out in 2013 when the Uruguay forward tried to force a move away from Anfield.

Suarez was made to train alone but returned to the squad and stayed for one more season before joining Barcelona.

“I’ve seen this and I’ve lived it with Suarez when he fell out with Brendan face to face. I’ve been there and done it myself,” added Gerrard.

Since arriving from Roma in 2017, Salah has played a key role in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and 2019 Champions League triumph.

But he has scored only four goals in 13 Premier League games this season, with the defending champions 10th in the table – but only three points off fourth-placed Crystal Palace.

Liverpool host Brighton on Saturday at Anfield – two days before Salah joins Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament.

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  • Liverpool
  • Premier League
  • Football

More on this story

    • 1 day ago
    A stylised graphic image of Liverpool and Egypt footballer Mohamed Salah
    • 1 day ago
    Arne Slot
    • 4 days ago

England’s Stuart out with ‘gutting’ long-term injury

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Will Stuart has sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon which will leave the Bath and England prop with a “long road ahead” to full fitness.

Stuart went off early in the second half of Bath’s Champions Cup victory against Munster on Saturday and the injury was described as “very serious”.

“He’ll get operated on somewhere in the next few weeks and unfortunately with an Achilles there’s a long road ahead,” Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan told BBC Radio Somerset.

The 29-year-old tight-head came off the bench during England’s autumn wins against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina and is one of England’s 25 players on Elite Player contracts for the 2025-26 season.

In total he has 53 caps and was also called up to the British and Irish Lions squad this summer for the first time, playing in all three Test matches during the series victory in Australia.

For his club, he was a key component in Bath’s success in winning the Prem last season and has made five appearances this campaign in all competitions.

Van Graan said the injury was “gutting” for Stuart.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game but once it’s an Achilles or an ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] or a neck – big injuries that take people away from the game for a long time – that’s never nice to see,” he said.

    • 5 hours ago

Muir suffers further setback

Bath return to Champions Cup action on Sunday away at French side Toulon.

Flanker Guy Pepper, who also went off against Munster, is set to miss the next few weeks with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, winger Will Muir has also seen his return further delayed because of a calf injury.

Muir is yet to feature this campaign and was available for selection last week before picking up the new issue.

“He’ll be out for an additional few weeks, which is frustrating for him but hopefully we’ll have him on the field soon,” Van Graan added.

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  • Bath

England’s Stuart out with ‘gutting’ long-term injury

Getty Images

Will Stuart has sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon which will leave the Bath and England prop with a “long road ahead” to full fitness.

Stuart went off early in the second half of Bath’s Champions Cup victory against Munster on Saturday and the injury was described as “very serious”.

“He’ll get operated on somewhere in the next few weeks and unfortunately with an Achilles there’s a long road ahead,” Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan told BBC Radio Somerset.

The 29-year-old tight-head came off the bench during England’s autumn wins against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina and is one of England’s 25 players on Elite Player contracts for the 2025-26 season.

In total he has 53 caps and was also called up to the British and Irish Lions squad this summer for the first time, playing in all three Test matches during the series victory in Australia.

For his club, he was a key component in Bath’s success in winning the Prem last season and has made five appearances this campaign in all competitions.

Van Graan said the injury was “gutting” for Stuart.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game but once it’s an Achilles or an ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] or a neck – big injuries that take people away from the game for a long time – that’s never nice to see,” he said.

    • 5 hours ago

Muir suffers further setback

Bath return to Champions Cup action on Sunday away at French side Toulon.

Flanker Guy Pepper, who also went off against Munster, is set to miss the next few weeks with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, winger Will Muir has also seen his return further delayed because of a calf injury.

Muir is yet to feature this campaign and was available for selection last week before picking up the new issue.

“He’ll be out for an additional few weeks, which is frustrating for him but hopefully we’ll have him on the field soon,” Van Graan added.

Related topics

  • England Rugby Union
  • Rugby Union
  • Bath

BBC EastEnders’ Michelle Ryan wows in wedding snap months after Zoe Slater return

BBC EastEnders icon Michelle Ryan, who recently returned as Zoe Slater after 20 years, has stunned fans with her latest appearance

EastEnders legend Michelle Ryan has left fans absolutely mesmerised with her latest stunning appearance.

The 41-year-old actress is best known for playing Zoe Slater on the BBC One drama, having recently returned to Walford after a two-decade hiatus.

Beyond the glitz of Albert Square, Michelle typically maintains a low profile regarding her personal life, but she recently posted a natural selfie while attending a friend’s wedding.

In the monochrome snapshot shared on Instagram, Michelle poses with two companions, all wearing coordinated ensembles.

The star has swept her locks back from her face, showcasing a sophisticated makeup style, whilst gazing directly at the lens with a subtle smile that has sent her admirers into overdrive, reports OK!.

Flooding the comments section, one fan gushed: “Love it, Michelle, you all look gorgeous.”

Another declared: “@michelleryan008 gorgeous, hope u are having a lovely time!”, whilst a third added: “You look amazing, Michelle.”

“God, Michelle, you are so gorgeous. Always”, one devotee raved, as another proclaimed: “You look so glamorous, Queen.”

Michelle was merely 16 when she first stepped onto Albert Square in 2000, playing the hidden daughter of her sibling Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace).

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Zoe’s explosive character became legendary for her compelling plots and romantic entanglements with the likes of Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman) and Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham), and was even betrothed to Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) during her tenure.

In a shocking turn of events, Zoe made her return to Walford earlier this year, disclosing that she had delivered twins, though heartbreakingly, just one infant made it through.

She’s now hell-bent on tracking down her long-lost son, whilst it emerged she’d been having a fling with notorious charmer Max Branning (Jake Wood) four years following his departure.

In upcoming EastEnders scenes, Zoe, who’s also being pursued by an unknown stalker, is poised to take centre stage in the Christmas Day mayhem.

When the Slaters throw a community feast at The Vic, things quickly spiral out of control as a hidden truth triggers a fierce confrontation between the Slaters and a rival clan.

The boozer is subsequently cleared out, yet the evening’s far from finished, as a concerning predicament intensifies with the BBC soap promising “catastrophic consequences” for everyone caught up in it.

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As Boxing Day dawns in Walford, locals grapple with the aftermath whilst police flood Albert Square. Those caught up in the drama face tough times ahead.