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Liverpool defender Andy Robertson insists the players have no concerns about “ultimate professional” Mohamed Salah’s immediate future as speculation of a potential world-record bid from Saudi Arabia continues. Pro League champions Al-Ittihad last week had a £150million offer rejected by Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon, who now considers the matter closed. However, that has not done anything to prevent suggestions they could return with a bid around the £200m mark for the 31-year-old, who is the world’s highest-profile Arab player. Manager Jurgen Klopp reiterated the club’s stance after the 3-0 win over Aston Villa, in which Salah scored and had a hand in the other two goals, and Robertson said the squad were united in their belief there would be no departure before Thursday’s closure of the Saudi transfer window. “For us we block that out, Mo blocks it out. We let other people talk about that,” he said. “For us there is no concern. For us Mohamed Salah is a Liverpool player and we believe that is what is going to be the case for the foreseeable future. “He’s the ultimate professional. He does what it does, he is one of the best players in the world and he is professional. “He lets other people do the talking, let’s other people say what they have to say, but he’s always been committed to Liverpool and you saw that with the performance he put in. “The club’s position was that it knocked it back, it rejected the bid and that is what the stance was. For us there is no concern. For us Mohamed Salah is a Liverpool player and we believe that is what is going to be the case for the foreseeable future Liverpool defender Andy Robertson “For me Mo has been Mo all week. He’s not been affected; I’ve been around him a lot and he’s not been affected by anything. “Mo has reacted in the best way possible and I think you have seen that with his performance, I think he was pretty special.” At every media appearance over the last two weeks Klopp and the players have had to deal with questions about the future of Salah, who has two years left on a contract signed last summer which made him the highest-paid player in the club’s history. But Robertson said it had not been destabilising or affected the squad’s focus as they made it 10 points from a possible 12 to head into the international break in third place in the Premier League. “Look, there is speculation around a lot of players and it is how we deal with it and he (Salah) has obviously done well,” he added. “Our squad is what it is and that’s the squad that is going to go forward now with the window shut. “It is about getting the most out of the squad, it is about looking forward to the season ahead and trying to do better than what we did last season.” After some criticism over recruitment following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, coincidentally to Saudi Pro League clubs, Liverpool’s squad looks refreshed and re-energised. World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, both signed before the start of pre-season, are starting to look like the long-term future of midfield they were brought in to be, with the latter scoring his first goal for the club against Villa in an impressive all-round performance in a comfortable victory. “I thought it was probably our best performance of the season so far, which is pleasing,” said Robertson. “I thought they (the midfield) were excellent, but to be honest I thought every player was excellent – even the subs who came on – it was a complete squad performance.” On Szoboszlai’s goal, a sweetly-struck shot from the edge of the penalty area for which he built a reputation at previous club RB Leipzig, the Scotland captain added: “We’ve maybe not seen as much of it in games as we have seen in training but he’s got a pretty nice strike on him, that’s for sure. “Technically he is a very gifted player, we’ve seen that already and I think he’ll have a big career here and we are looking forward to being a part of it.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Police launch investigation following alleged assault on Roy Keane Marcus Trescothick backs struggling England pair to get back among the runs Football rumours: Door not closed on Joao Palhinha’s Bayern Munich move

Jadon Sancho has claimed he is being made a “scapegoat” by Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United manager suggested the winger was dropped due to his performances in training. Sancho is yet to start a game for Manchester United this season and was left out of the squad entirely for their visit to Arsenal on Sunday which saw his side fall to a late 3-1 defeat after injury-time goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus. After the game, the United manager addressed the English forward’s absence, clarifying that it was down to his levels of performance in training in the week leading up to the match. “Jadon [Sancho] was absent [based] on his performance on the training,” Ten Hag said. “We didn’t select him. You have to reach a level every day at Manchester United and we can make choices on the frontline, so for this game, he wasn’t selected.” However, the 23-year-old has since hit back at the Dutch manager’s words, with a public statement on social media suggesting that other reasons were behind his dropping and refuting the claims of poor training. “Please don’t believe everything you read,” Sancho wrote. “I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week. I believe there are other reasons for this matter which I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair! “All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to the team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!” Sancho has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth in United’s team since his £73m move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. The Englishman missed three months at the end of last season due to various physical issues. He has scored just 12 goals in 82 games for the club in all competitions. While Sancho watched from home, United extended their dreadful recent record at the Emirates. Having gone ahead through Marcus Rashford, they were pegged back instantly by Martin Odegaard’s strike. Having seen Alejandro Garnacho’s late strike ruled out by VAR for offside, Rice’s deflected strike from a corner – followed by Jesus’s composed finish on the break – secured a dramatic win for the home side. Read More Police launch investigation following alleged assault on Roy Keane Police investigate after Keane ‘headbutted’ following Arsenal win over Man Utd Arteta praises ‘magic’ Rice as £105m midfielder proves match winner vs Man United

Police have launched an investigation after footage was circulated on social media following an alleged assault on Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane. Sky confirmed that fellow pundit Micah Richards attempted to “defuse” the situation at the Emirates Stadium following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United. The Metropolitan Police said there had been no arrests but they are investigating an alleged assault after the game on Sunday. Sky said the alleged assault “immediately” preceded the footage on social media. Confirming the incident, a Sky Sports spokeswoman said: “We understand the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public immediately preceding the footage circulating on social media. “In the footage seen, Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation.” In their own short statement, the Met said: “Police are investigating following an assault that is alleged to have occurred at the Emirates Stadium during an Arsenal v Manchester United match on Sunday, 3 September. “There have been no arrests. Inquiries are ongoing. “Any witnesses or those with information are asked to call 101 ref CAD 6961/3 Sept.”

What the papers say The now-closed transfer window may have left Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha with the crumbled wreck of a failed deal with Bayern Munich, but, according to the Daily Mail, there is still room for a deal to be done eventually. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco seems likely to ditch Europe after a juicy offer from Saudi Arabia. As per the Daily Star, Saudi pro League club Al Shabab is to offer the 30-year-old £12.8million to sign on before the Saudi trade window closes. Across the pond , Wayne Rooney looks like he could soon be parting ways with DC United after the US club left him on read when he tried to kick off negotiations for a new contract, the Daily Mail reports. Social media round-up Players to watch Sergio Ramos: ESPN reports the 37-year-old defender is closing in on a deal to return to Sevilla. He has been a free agent since July, when his Paris St Germain contract expired. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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Kyle Walker has revealed he was “close” to joining Bayern Munich in the summer but is now set to sign a new contract at Manchester City. The City right-back was the subject of strong interest from the German giants during the close season and, coupled with uncertainty over his future at the Etihad Stadium, he admits he was seriously tempted. The 33-year-old had a spell out of favour last spring and, although he regained his place towards the end of the treble-winning campaign, was left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League final in June. As he entered the final year of his contract, Bayern turned his head with an attractive package but, with City later offering what is understood to be a two-year extension, Walker opted to stay put. “It was close but in football things can happen,” Walker said. “Decisions can be made, things can turn. It wasn’t meant to be. “Would I have enjoyed the experience? Of course I would, but this is a great club and you can’t underestimate what this club has done in the last six or seven years. “Why should I walk away if I am going to get enough game time that’s right for me? That is all I want. “It was about who gave me the most years. It wasn’t like I was going to a worse club because Bayern Munich is a massive club and seeing what Harry (Kane) is doing there and will do, it wasn’t a step down. I have a contract with the club and I will play for the club until the contract (ends) or they sell me Kyle Walker “In the back of my head I always wanted to play for Manchester City but I had to do what was right for me and my future. It was just about which club gave me the years in my contract to play football at the highest level.” The speculation linking Walker with Bayern was at its most intense in July, just as City played the Bundesliga club during a pre-season friendly in July. To some surprise at the time, Walker not only started for City but took the captain’s armband. He said: “I am a Manchester city player. I am contracted to them so what do you want me to do? Turn round and say ‘I am not playing because I want to force a move to Bayern Munich’? “That is not me as a person. I have a contract with the club and I will play for the club until the contract (ends) or they sell me – and I wasn’t sold.” Walker, who joined City from Tottenham in 2017, says confirmation of the new deal which would commit him to the reigning Premier League champions was imminent. “The extension is coming,” said Walker, who has five title-winner’s medals. “It’s my seventh season here and I feel like one of the old ones. “I love the place. I’ve experienced things I only dreamt of here – especially the last season – so why would you want to leave a club like this?” Walker is also keen to take on the City captaincy full-time with manager Pep Guardiola planning to hold a squad vote to identify Ilkay Gundogan’s replacement in the coming weeks. He said: “The vote hasn’t been yet. They like to do it after the transfer window is closed. “It is an honour of privilege, of course I want it. If you can’t pass on your knowledge and life experiences on or off the field, I shouldn’t be playing at a great club like this.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Big-serving Ben Shelton storms into US Open quarter-finals Erik ten Hag frustrated by decisions in Manchester United’s defeat at Arsenal They really outplayed us – Jos Buttler credits New Zealand after England mauling