Mahrez: Liverpool wanted me
RIYAD Mahrez has revealed Liverpool were interested in signing him before he moved to City.
The Blues had been chasing the forward for months before finally paying Leicester City’s asking price of £61m to bring him to the Etihad in 2018.
After taking time to adjust to the club in his first season, though still contributing 12 goals and 12 assists to City’s historic domestic treble, Mahrez has really come into his own in this campaign and has been one of the Blues’ most consistent attackers.
The 29-year-old is already just one goal contribution away from matching last season’s statistics with plenty of games still to play when the season finally resumes.
However, it could have all been very different if he had joined the Blues’ fierce rivals Liverpool, but Mahrez has revealed the Merseyside outfit dropped their interest after signing Mohamed Salah.
“Before signing for Manchester City, there was interest from Liverpool in me, but as soon as they took Mohamed Salah, it was finished,” he said.
Mahrez also enjoyed a great summer on international duty with Algeria, as he led his country to African Cup of Nations glory in Egypt.
However, the winger wants to see the tournament played every four years instead of every two.
“Let’s make AFCON once every four years and in summer,” he added.
“We loved Egypt, it wasn’t too hot. Every two years and in winter, that is why African football is not respected. You have a crazy amount of action in your own clubs, then you leave for two months.”