Richard Keys has risked the wrath of Liverpool fans by posting with apparent certainty that Mo Salah is heading for the Anfield exit door.
Salah's future has been one of the big talking points of transfer deadline day, with Liverpool reportedly rejecting a massive £150 million offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad for their prized asset.
However, given the massive wages that would be on offer for Salah, it's still possible that the Egyptian helps to push the move through by expressing his desire to leave.
As well as that, there will surely be some executives behind the scenes at Anfield who feel that the fee is too good to turn down for a 31-year-old, and with the Saudi transfer window set to remain open for another few weeks, the sense is that this particular saga isn't over.
Richard Keys makes strong Mo Salah statement
This is obviously a fast-moving story and no one can be sure what exactly will happen. Except, of course, beIN Sports presenter Keys, who has taken to Twitter to suggest that he knows a lot more than the rest of us.
"I’m always happy to open for apologies," he wrote on Friday afternoon. "Those that abused me as usual - message now. Mighty beIN Sports were spot on when I said Salah might be playing his last game at Newcastle. It’ll be v Villa now. The deal will get done next week. There’s no need to rush it though today."
Far from thanking Keysey for the update, Liverpool fans have been mainly been taking the mick out of a man who, in fairness, draws it on himself most of the time.
‘I find the area really complicated because we have a lot of trade with Saudi Arabia’ Gareth Southgate. But none with Qatar Gareth? 🤷♂️ You Henderson & an ill informed tv host had plenty to say about the WC but nothing now? Amazing. Enjoy Jordan. Lesson learned I hope.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) August 31, 2023
Mo Salah future remains up in the air
If what he's saying is true - and that isn't implausible - then there could well be emotional scenes at Anfield on Sunday, as Liverpool's fifth-highest ever goalscorer bids farewell.
Salah's legacy on Merseyside would be unquestioned but on the flip side, leaving for the Saudi coin would leave a sour taste for many, particularly with Liverpool having no time left in the transfer window to replace him.
