Mohamed Salah was willing to walk away from Liverpool

In a candid admission, the 32-year-old forward said that negotiating his most recent contract extension "wasn't easy", and that he had been open to a departure had talks failed.

Salah eventually signed a new two-year deal, extending his stay at Anfield to a full decade. However, his comments confirm long-standing speculation that he was weighing up his options, with interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League reportedly ongoing.

"It was a possibility, yes," he said. "It was actually a bit strange, we were really going strong this season, and there was this negotiation that wasn't easy. In the end, all's well that ends well: we're champions and I'm staying for two more seasons.

"I guess it was ultimately a huge advantage because I had the best statistical season of my life. The possibility that it would be my last season here, perhaps, gave me the desire to make the most of it and give everything I had to win the title I had promised.

"I had this mindset: if the club doesn't want to extend my contract, no worries, let's finish as well as possible so I can leave with a bang."

Throughout the season, questions over Salah's future loomed large, even as he delivered a sensational campaign. He scored 33 goals and assisted 23 more in just 49 appearances, helping Liverpool to secure their 20th league title with four games to spare.

His outstanding form saw him named Footballer of the Year for a record-equalling third time and placed him as the clear favourite for the Premier League Golden Boot. Many now see him as a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or.