PL title winner reveals interest from Liverpool before Salah transfer

Riyad Mahrez says Liverpool were interested in him before they acquired Mohamed Salah from Roma in 2017.

Mahrez, 29, was with Leicester at the time, where he helped them to an unprecedented Premier League title in 2016.

He was one of Leicester’s star performers and no wonder caught Jurgen Klopp’s eye with 17 goals and 11 assists, which helped him win PFA Player of the Year.

The move though never materialised with Klopp instead going for Roma’s Mo Salah and that has worked out pretty well for the German

Leicester did not want to sell Mahrez and they were able to keep him for another season, but he left the following summer for champions Man City.

“Before signing at Manchester City, there was an interest in Liverpool for me, but as soon as they took Mo Salah, it was finished,” Mahrez told DZ Foot in an Instagram Live interview.

Mahrez has found further success at Manchester City, having a hand in 47 goals (21 goals, 26 assists) in 81 competitive outings, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, League Cup (two) and Community Shield during his tenure so far.

Mahrez also revealed that he had the opportunity to represent France, but rather chose Algeria.

“If I had waited for France, I would be in the France team there but I chose Algeria direct” Mahrez continued.

“I had just signed for Leicester, I was told Vahid [former Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic] likes me, there is the World Cup!”