Mohamed Salah was set to quit Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League last summer - until Jurgen Klopp announced he was quitting Anfield.

Salah, who could still bank himself a fortune in the desert when his contract with the Reds expires at the end of the season, was ready to call time on the Kop because he had become disillusioned with life under the German.

But Klopp’s shock decision to end his eight-year reign, coupled with the appointment of Arne Slot as his successor, led to the Egyptian star having a dramatic change of heart, it has been claimed by former West Ham boss, Slaven Bilic.

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He says the expectation in Saudi was that Salah would become a rival to Cristiano Ronaldo in the Pro League by linking up with former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad.

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Bilic, who was in charge of the Al Fateh Sports Club last year, said: “Mohamed Salah is the best striker in the Premier League, he is the best winger in the Premier League and he is the best number 10 in the Premier League.

The 32-year-old has scored 30 goals and assisted another 22 as Liverpool have romped 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League - and he is now being touted as a Ballon d’Or winner.

They are also in the last 16 of the Champions League and will meet Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final later this month.

The Egyptian will have his pick of clubs in the summer - but Bilic does not believe he will join another Premier League club.

I can’t imagine him at another Premier League club.”

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