Mohamed Salah has admitted he was in “serious” talks with the Saudi Pro League before eventually renewing his contract with Premier League champions Liverpool.
Salah's previous deal expired this summer leading to a season full of speculation over his future, and as the world's most famous Arab footballer he has long been linked with a move to the ambitious SPL.
Negotiations between Salah and Liverpool over a renewal were long and drawn out, with the Egyptian telling NBC Sports last November that he was “more out than in”.
Despite constant speculation over his future, Salah has led the Premier League for goals and assists and helped Liverpool coast to the title.
He was voted the English Football Writers' Association player of the year for a third time and gave an interview with On Sport Egyptian TV channel after the ceremony, which was aired on Sunday.
When asked about his talks with SPL officials, Salah said: “It was a good opportunity to me, if I hadn't renewed with Liverpool it would have happened.
“My relations with SPL officials are very good, we talked a lot, and the negotiations were serious.”
Salah eventually renewed his contract until 2027, and said that Liverpool's fans had played a big role in that.
“The negotiations were long, I know the club's policy [in negotiations], we reached a middle ground that made us all happy”, he added.
“Part of the pressure on the club came from the fans. I know from the start that they wanted me to continue, and they played their role in all of this.”
Salah, the second player to claim the FWA award three times after former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, won the Premier League's golden boot with 29 goals. His mark of 18 assists was also a league high and his 47 goal involvements tied the best ever, alongside Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.
Salah also talked about the differences between Arne Slot, the current Liverpool coach, and Jurgen Klopp his former coach, who he had more than one public clash with.
“Every coach has a different style of play but I talk a lot with Slot and we understand each other very well,” he said.
“Unlike Klopp, we sit a lot and talk, he was honest with me from the beginning and told me that he wants to get the best out of me and I told him that I want to be comfortable on the pitch.”
The Egyptian praised Klopp for what he gave the club and said the German “gave too much to the club and [it] won a lot with him”.
Slot eyes reinforcements
Following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, Liverpool boss Slot had praise for a departing player and also stressed the need to build upon their title victory with a few quality additions.
A week after being booed by fans – and criticised by Slot for his poor training levels – Trent Alexander-Arnold was given a warm send off ahead of a free transfer to Real Madrid.
“[The fans] were brilliant again today as they were throughout the whole season, as they were towards Trent,” said Slot.
“I'm very happy for him and everyone in and around the club that things worked out the way they did.
“Everybody could see how difficult he had it after the game. That tells you how hard it is to leave a club like this.
“That's all we can try to do, to make it so hard for the players to leave.”
Liverpool have been linked with Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong as a replacement for Alexander-Arnold.
They are also reported to be pursuing a potential club-record deal for Frimpong's Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz.
“I just want good players and ideally, you sign them as soon as you can,” Slot said. “There is so much hard work already done behind the scenes this season to find out which targets we have and try to sign them.
“Radical changes you will not see because that would be a bit weird if we won the league. We need to improve with this team but if we are able to bring new players in, maybe you have to adapt to their qualities as well. But it will never be drastic.”
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The specs
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
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Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
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The Specs:
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 444bhp
Torque: 600Nm
Price: AED 356,580 incl VAT
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
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The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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