“That’s my belief” - Graeme Bailey says what Mohamed Salah would have done regarding his future if Jurgen Klopp stayed at Liverpool
Journalist Graeme Bailey has made a remarkable claim regarding the relationship between Mohamed Salah and Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. The reputed journalist has claimed that the Egyptian superstar might have left the Reds this summer if Klopp had stayed this season.
Klopp is one of the most adored managers in the modern era for his charisma, personality, and attitude. While he seemed to share a great relationship with most of his players at Liverpool, his relationship with Salah seemingly turned bitter towards the end of the last season.
An altercation between the two made headlines towards the closing stages of the last season when the Reds were held 2-2 by West Ham United at the London Stadium. Salah was dropped from the starting XI by Klopp in the game and the two exchanged heated words between themselves when the Egyptian was waiting on the touchline to come on as a substitute.
Graeme Bailey has claimed that Salah would have certainly left Liverpool this summer for Saudi Arabia had Klopp still been in charge. He told Rousing the Kop:
“If Jurgen Klopp had stayed, Mo Salah wouldn’t still be at Anfield, that’s my belief, He’d be in Saudi Arabia now. A lot of Liverpool fans dismiss that, but there is a difference in his demeanour this season. It’s not that he was unhappy before, but when you compare the two, it is different.”
Bailey also insisted that the Merseyside giants will soon open talks with their star forward regarding a new deal. He added:
“The plan all the time was that the two parties would speak later in this year that’s where we are. Liverpool are telling me that they need to allow Arne Slot to get to know Salah. Talks have already taken place and further conversations are set to happen around the October international break.”
Salah's future at Anfield has been subject to speculations with the attacker having entered the final year of his deal at Anfield. Since joining the Reds in 2017 in a deal worth a reported £34.3 million, he has scored 214 goals and provided 92 assists in 352 appearances.
Liverpool star opens up on his strong start to the season
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has shed light on his strong start to the season under new manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman had an underwhelming debut campaign at Anfield last time out but looks reborn under his compatriot.
The 22-year-old has started all three league games for the Reds this season in a double pivot alongside Alexis Mac Allister. The Merseyside giants have won all three games so far with Gravencerch catching the eye.
Reflecting on his revival in fortunes under Slot, the former Ajax sensation said, as quoted by Metro:
"I just feel good in my skin, to be honest. But does that have a reason? Yeah, things are going well at the club. I’m just doing my thing, and it’s working out well now. He [Slot] gives me confidence now. He just lets me start in the lineup. It’s going pretty well. As a player, you obviously want to get minutes."
The former Bayern Munich star added:
"For me, that confidence is part of it. With that confidence, I feel more comfortable, and with the minutes, it keeps getting better. He’s a good coach. He knows what he wants. He has a clear plan. Yeah, so far, we’re executing it really well. Clarity from the start is always nice for me."
Gravenberch also admitted that he is getting more involved in the game and is having more touches which has helped him excel. He added:
"There were sometimes matches in which I had only touched the ball once after five or six minutes. Then you don’t get into your game. Now I get the ball more, then you get more comfortable."
The Netherlands international joined Liverpool last season from Bayern Munich in a reported £34.3 million deal. He has so far made 41 appearances for the Reds contributing with four goals and two assists.