Liverpool’s move to sign Mohamed Salah in 2017 raised some eyebrows, but it has certainly paid dividends.
The Egyptian had struggled at Chelsea, and some weren’t sold on him even after he had bounced back at Roma.
Yet Salah has become a superstar at Anfield, racking up 91 goals in 144 games for the Reds. It’s hard to imagine Jurgen Klopp’s attack without Salah now, but it could have been different.
Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez was with Leicester City at the time, and had proven himself as a top Premier League star.
The Algerian isn’t quite at Salah’s level, but he now claims that Liverpool wanted to sign him before eventually going with Salah.
Mahrez was speaking to Smail Bouabdellah, as translated and quoted by GFFN, and stated that the Reds wanted him but the pursuit was ‘finished’ once Salah signed.
“Before signing for Manchester City, there was interest from Liverpool in me, but as soon as they took Mohamed Salah, it was finished,” said Mahrez.
This does make sense, as both wingers come in from the right flank onto their left side. Mahrez is certainly a talent, but Liverpool clearly made the right decision here.
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