Liverpool managed to keep hold of Mohamed Salah this summer despite transfer interest from Saudi Arabia.

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has insisted Mohamed Salah was “ready to go” amid Saudi Arabia interest this summer.

Liverpool were able to retain the services of Salah despite the best efforts of Al-Ittihad, who first lodged a bid worth £150million for the Egyptian that was instantly rejected by the Reds.

The Saudi side were rumoured to be plotting a £200m offer closer to the transfer deadline, though opted against this option after it became clear Liverpool had no intention of allowing the player to leave.

There was debate among the Reds’ fanbase regarding whether or not Jurgen Klopp’s side were wise to turn down such figures for a player who will turn 32 years of age in June, though there is an expectation this will not be the last Liverpool hear from clubs in the Saudi Pro League for Salah.

The strip sees Liverpool wear purple for the first time since the 2018/19 season.

Following on from the iconic Red and remake of a 1996/96 classic, the third kit features a purple ripple pattern with black sleeve cuffs, collarbone inserts, side panelling with matching shorts and purple rippple socks.

A sense of relief prevailed once the Saudi transfer window slammed shut, with the Reds entering the season with their talismanic figure still at the heart of the attack.

Of the view Salah wanted to go and should have moved to the Middle East, however, Antonio said: “He didn’t turn that down, no way.

He was locked up and the Reds had put that red arrow across: ‘You are not going anywhere’.

He did not stop that at all. To be fair to him, he didn’t kick up a fuss and let them do what they were doing. But I know for a fact that he was ready to go.”

Many players have this summer been questioned for their motivations to secure a Saudi transfer and downplaying the idea of lucrative sums of money swaying their mind.

Stressing that Salah would not be moving for financial gain but rather because he has accomplished all he possibly can at Anfield, Antonio added: “What else can he do at Liverpool? He’s done it.

It’s [Saudi] a great opportunity for him, he is a Muslim man and it had everything screaming out for him.

There was no actual negative for the man to not go. I understand he has a contract, which he has fulfilled.

“So he wins another [Premier League title], do you know what that just means? He has won another. It doesn’t add much to anything else.

He has done everything he could possibly do at Liverpool.

I am saying to you right now, a Muslim man going to a Muslim country, £215m to Liverpool for a 31-year-old – I just find it completely crazy they’ve not accepted that.

“My question to you is this: what do you think Liverpool are playing for this year? Even if you couldn’t replace the man, let’s call this season a write-off.”

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Former Red Steve Nicol had his say on Liverpool’s title chances after their latest Premier League victory.

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol’s takeaway from Liverpool’s win over Wolves on Saturday is that they will not win the Premier League title this season.

However the Scotsman remains confident that the Reds are ‘big favourites’ to qualify for the Champions League.

Away at Molineux the team endured a difficult first period after falling behind in the seventh minute.

The deficit could very well have been more than one goal though Wolves struggled to consolidate their advantage.

Assessing the match for ESPN FC, Nicol – who made 468 appearances during a 12-year career at Anfield in heavily successful Liverpool teams of the eighties and nineties – warned his former club that they can ill afford to begin matches so poorly in future.

“But the second half is why I think they are big favourites to be in the top four. That kind of sums up Liverpool, for me.

“You can’t keep turning up away from home and performing the way they did because better teams will be too far ahead of you [to mount a fightback]. They’re lucky that Wolves couldn’t take their chances.”

This belief is in direct contention with Nicol’s former team-mate and manager Graeme Souness, who believes the squad have what it takes to win the Premier League.