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Al-Ahly's former director of football has dismissed suggestions that the Egyptian giants are pursuing a swoop for Mohamed Salah.

Hopes were sky-high for the winger heading into the fresh Premier League campaign following his spectacular tally of 29 strikes and 18 assists for Liverpool last season. Yet the 33-year-old has endured a nightmare beginning to 2025/26, netting merely three times with two assists across nine outings, whilst the Reds have witnessed a dramatic dip in fortunes.

The Merseyside outfit presently languish in seventh spot in England's elite division, suffering four straight league defeats against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United and Brentford. Despite penning fresh terms at Anfield just this past April - tying him to the club until 2027 - Salah has recently been touted for a switch to Al-Ahly.

READ MORE: What Virgil van Dijk did away from TV cameras during latest Liverpool defeat speaks volumes

READ MORE: Arne Slot gives Liverpool reality check with blunt reminder of Alexander Isak injury

Nevertheless, Sayed Abdel Hafeez has revealed there has been no formal bid from the Egyptian powerhouses.

As per Sport Witness, he declared: "Mohamed Salah is a very big star and has done things that are difficult for any player in the Arab world to do. He's focusing on his professional career.

"Linking Salah to Al-Ahly is a media effort, and he's a player who has honoured Egyptian football and all Arabs. Let's talk realistically. Salah renewed his contract with Liverpool months ago.

"There is no official at Al-Ahly who talked about this matter. This matter was only circulated in the media. We will focus on the team's priorities. I wish Salah success."

It comes as Salah has faced criticism for Liverpool's disappointing recent displays, with Wayne Rooney slamming both the striker and skipper Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking on the BBC's 'The Wayne Rooney Show' following the Reds' 3-2 defeat to Brentford, he said: "This can happen to teams and it can get them and it will creep up and then all of a sudden you're like 'where did that come from?'

"You're probably sitting here thinking three or four weeks ago, no one saw this coming. And it's hit them quick, it's hit them hard and they're struggling to find a way out of it.

"This is the time where the manager, the leaders in the team need to figure it out very quickly. I'm a bit unsure. Van Dijk and Salah have signed new deals and whatever but I don't think they've really led that team this season."

When pressed on his reasoning for that belief, Rooney added: "Just performances and body language. I think body language tells you a lot. I think we're seeing a slightly different body language from the two of them.

"They are the top two players in that side and if their body language isn't right, that affects everyone else. Liverpool are in a bad place at the minute and when that happens, I can't explain it. It's so difficult, you don't know how to get out of it.

"You concede a goal and straight away you're thinking 'here we go again'. It's such a hard thing to get out of. Best thing is to simplify things for each player and the manager. Simplify the performances with what you're doing. Normally, if you've got better players, you win the game but it's not that easy."

Liverpool endured further heartbreak on Wednesday night as they crashed out of the Carabao Cupat the fourth round stage following defeat to Crystal Palace - though they fielded a weakened side.

Ismaila Sarr netted twice for the Eagles before the break, whilst Yeremy Pino sealed the victory two minutes from time.

Arne Slot now has just 48 hours to get his squad ready before they return to Premier Leagueduties against Aston Villa on Saturday night (8pm kick-off).

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