Mohamed Salah interaction with Liverpool transfer target mid-game speaks volumes

Fulham's Antonee Robinson has revealed a fascinating exchange with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during their Premier League clash at Craven Cottage in 2022, where the Egyptian star seemed quite taken with the dynamic left-back.

With the January transfer window approaching, it's no secret that Robinson is on Liverpool's watchlist , and he's also caught the eye of Manchester United, while last year, Manchester City considered a hefty £35 million ($46 million) bid for his services.

Salah , who faced a challenging duel with Robinson during the 2-2 stalemate, used the match as a chance to learn more about the defender and offered him some encouraging words post-match.

• Martin Zubimendi has confirmed his intentions but Liverpool transfer picture has changed
• Arne Slot names the one major change he's made since taking over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

In a chat with The Athletic , Robinson recalled: "We played Liverpool in the first game of the season two years ago. We drew 2-2. I remember saying to my friends, who are all big Liverpool fans and came down because it was around my birthday, 'Lads, if Salah scores or gets an assist this game, I'll pay for dinner tonight', so I put a bit of added pressure on myself.

"And he did, annoyingly. But I remember him saying to me midway through the game, 'How old are you? '. So he didn't really know who I was. I must have been 24, 25.

"He just nodded and carried on with the game. Then, after the game, I asked for his shirt, so we swapped shirts and we were just chatting and he was like, 'You were the best player this game, keep up what you're doing'. That was very nice of him."

Robinson and Salah could potentially team up at Anfield if Liverpool decide to support new manager Arne Slot in the winter transfer window. Current Reds left-back Andy Robertson, who will be 31 by the end of the season, isn't as potent in attack as he once was.

Born in Milton Keynes but brought up in Liverpool, Robinson is a product of Everton's youth system, although he never played for their first team. It was during his loan stints at Bolton and Wigan - the latter eventually becoming a permanent move - that the speedy full-back started making waves.

Internationally, Robinson plays for the United States, thanks to his father's New York upbringing. The 27-year-old is nearing his 50th cap for the USMNT and will be under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino for the 2026 World Cup.