'I made a fight' — Iconic manager stopped Mohamed Salah's Liverpool deal

Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool in 2017 after being impressed by the Anfield atmosphere during a visit with Chelsea, as Jose Mourinho claims he fought to sign the Egyptian from Basel in 2014

Mohamed Salah is set to leave Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Chelsea blocked Mohamed Salah's original transfer to Liverpool by offering more money for him in 2014.

The Reds had targeted the Basel winger during the January window but were ultimately beaten by Jose Mourinho's side. Salah, who is set to leave Liverpool this summer, struggled to establish himself during his first period in English soccer. He made 19 appearances for the London outfit before being loaned to Fiorentina a year later and subsequently joining Roma permanently.

His outstanding performances in Italy convinced Liverpool to revive its pursuit, completing a transfer in 2017. Considering Salah's successful nine-year period at Anfield, Mourinho has received flak for allowing him to depart Stamford Bridge, but the former Chelsea boss views the situation quite differently.

"When people say, 'You let Salah go,' I say exactly the opposite," Mourinho told The Obi One podcast in 2023. "I bought Salah. I was the one that said, 'Buy that guy.'

"He was going from Basel to Liverpool, and I made a fight. I made a war to make him come to Chelsea. Then comes the part to be a Chelsea player, you need to perform, or have to wait.

"He didn't want to wait and wanted to go on loan, and then Chelsea, at a certain point, decided to sell. That was not me."

Salah spent a year playing under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)

While Mourinho denies playing a part in Salah's Chelsea exit, Liverpool reaped rewards from the Egyptian's drive to prove his Premier League critics wrong. The 33-year-old has clinched two league titles and scooped four Golden Boots, driving the Reds to glory.

"I think when I was at Chelsea, I came here and Liverpool were fighting for the title, and the atmosphere was unbelievable," Salah told Sky Sports in 2021. "And I said, 'Wow, I want to play here one day.'

"That's why when I was in Rome, and there was talk between the clubs, I said I would love to play there, the atmosphere is unbelievable, and I wanted to come back to England to prove people wrong.

"I didn't have my chance there with Chelsea, and I wanted to come back."

Earlier this week, Salah announced his departure from Liverpool at the season's end, drawing the curtain on his extraordinary tenure at Anfield. He has amassed a wealth of silverware with the Reds, including the Premier League and Champions League, netting 255 times in 435 matches so far.

In footage posted on social media on Tuesday, Salah said: "Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

"I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people, would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club, it's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not part of this club."

He added: "Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will be always one of you. This club will always be my home to me and my family. Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone."