West Ham striker Michail Antonio is adamant Liverpool blocked Mohamed Salah from joining Liverpool last month.

Salah was the subject of a world record £215m offer from Al-Ittihad, with the Saudis willing to pay the Egyptian great £2m-a-week.

Antonio said on his podcast: “He didn't turn that down, no way. He was locked up and the Reds had put that red arrow across: 'You are not going anywhere'. He did not stop that at all. To be fair to him, he didn't kick up a fuss and let them do what they were doing. But I know for a fact that he was ready to go."

Antonio added: "What else can he do at Liverpool? He's done it. It's [Saudi] a great opportunity for him, he is a Muslim man and it had everything screaming out for him. There was no actual negative for the man to not go. I understand he has a contract, which he has fulfilled.

“So he wins another [Premier League title], do you know what that just means? He has won another. It doesn't add much to anything else. He has done everything he could possibly do at Liverpool. I am saying to you right now, a Muslim man going to a Muslim country, £215m to Liverpool for a 31-year-old - I just find it completely crazy they've not accepted that.

“My question to you is this: what do you think Liverpool are playing for this year? Even if you couldn't replace the man, let's call this season a write-off."