He is the idol of Anfield and the star striker of a club that is continuing to strengthen its squad. Bayern’s midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was the latest player to sign for the “reds”, although all eyes are on Mo Salah, who Klopp cannot afford to lose. He is the last remaining player of Liverpool’s Champions League-winning front three but has already said yes to Al-Ittihad. The Saudi club want him and, far from backing down following Liverpool’s rejection, have repeatedly upped their offer for Salah. Incredibly, their bid has now reached £140 million. An obscene amount of money. 

He is 31 years of age and the deal would be to see him join the Saudi Pro League next summer, although the Saudi club will keep pressing until the transfer window closes on 7 September to sign good old Mo Salah. He has agreed but is not pushing to leave. It is Liverpool who will decide. In Salah’s words, if he stays, that’s fine. 

Luis Díaz, Darwin Nuñez and Salah are Klopp’s preferred front three, although the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai last summer marks him as Salah’s natural replacement on the right wing of attack. Left-footed, possessing tremendous quality and an apprentice of the high-pressure football that Klopp wants to instil. If Salah leaves, it will be up to Szoboszlai to fill his shoes. For Liverpool, the ideal scenario is to agree a deal for next summer.