Home » ARTICLES » “There was interest” – £61m Man City signing reveals Liverpool registered interest in him

“There was interest” – £61m Man City signing reveals Liverpool registered interest in him

Photo of author

By Pranav Ravindrannair

Liverpool dropped interest in Riyad Mahrez after signing Mohamed Salah

According to BeIn sports via GFFN (h/t MEN), Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez has revealed that Liverpool were keen on bringing him to Anfield before he moved to the Etihad.

The Algerian winger had established himself as one of the league’s best players at the King Power Stadium. He played a prominent role in Leicester City’s surprise run to the Premier League title, winning the PFA Player of the Year award on the way.

Having spent four seasons with the Foxes, he eventually made the move to Manchester City in 2018. It is possible he could have made the move to Anfield had the Reds not signed Mohamed Salah.

“There was interest from Liverpool in me, but as soon as they took Mohamed Salah, it was finished.”

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores
Mohamed Salah has been an inspired signing for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge at Anfield ended on a successful note. The Reds guaranteed the fourth spot on the last day of the 2016-17 season, marking a return to Europe’s top table.

With attacking reinforcements a priority, the Reds eventually signed Egyptian hero Mohamed Salah from Roma the following summer. In hindsight, no one at that time could have predicted how well that would turn out.

Having secured the former Chelsea flop, Liverpool ended all interest in Mahrez. He eventually wound up playing for our arch-rivals after making a move worth £61million in 2018.

Riyad Mahrez was on Liverpool radar before Mohamed Salah signing
Mahrez famously missed a penalty at Anfield in 2018

No regrets whatsoever!

There is no argument that Liverpool made the right decision. Salah has gone from strength to strength at Anfield, exposing anything the Algerian has achieved. Having also cost significantly lower, there is no question as to who got the better deal.

While the Egyptian would go on to light up Anfield, Mahrez could only go far as to miss a spot-kick at the famous stadium.

More Liverpool News

Salah went on to form a world-class triumvirate alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. The trio helped Liverpool blitz their way to Champions League final in its debut season.

Although that night ended in heartbreak, he would make amends a year later on a memorable night in Madrid.