EXCLUSIVE
Charlie Adam: Saudi Arabia could be using Mohamed Salah to disrupt Liverpool for Newcastle clash
Al Ittihad's proposed move for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could be a tactic by Saudi Arabia to disrupt Jurgen Klopp's side ahead of their clash against Newcastle.
That is the view of ex-Reds midfielder Charlie Adam, who has questioned whether Al Ittihad's interest in the 31-year-old is genuine.
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talkSPORT understands that the Reds have received an approach from the Saudi Pro League champions for Salah over a switch to the Middle East.
Though Liverpool have no intention of parting ways with the Egypt international, with Klopp adamant the forward is not for sale.
And Adam, who won the League Cup with Liverpool in 2012, believes that the Saudis could be playing mind games ahead of Sunday's blockbuster match at St James' Park.
The Magpies' majority owners - the Saudi Public Investment Fund - have also taken over Al Ittihad, along with three other major clubs in the Gulf nation.
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With the interest in Salah coming before the Merseyside outfit's trip to Tyneside, Adam has suggested it could be nothing more than to disrupt the Liverpool squad.
Speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast show about Salah's potential move, Adam said: "I don't believe he will go.
"They are playing Newcastle this weekend, there is a bit of the Saudi-backed Newcastle situation.
"Maybe that's something - they're just trying to ignite the flame before the match and try to unsettle Salah.
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"They know that Jurgen Klopp, all of the questions he's going to get today in his press conference will be about Salah and Saudi Arabia.
"And it's maybe a bit of mind games as well, I was reading reports that this club were confident they were going to get Mo Salah.
"I don't believe it's going to be anywhere close, I don't believe Liverpool will sell him.
"Is [Kylian] Mbappe the one that can replace him? I don't think that Liverpool will be interested in selling Mo Salah - especially in this window."
He continued: "With a week to go in the English market, it's going to be very difficult to replace Mo Salah, so maybe next season might be different.
"But I still don't believe he will go, I think he's happy at Liverpool, but these numbers that are being talked, the club have also got to look at the business side as well."
Salah still has two years left to run on his deal at Anfield, with the former Chelsea man closing in on 200 goals for Liverpool in all competitions.
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