By Martin Graham
Former coach Jürgen Klopp has described it Mohamed Salah as an “all-time great”, insisting on the achievements of the forward a Liverpool will be incredibly difficult to match. The Egyptian recently confirmed that he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season, ending a nine-year stay at the club.
Klopp, who brought Salah to Liverpool from Rome in 2017 for £34m, worked with him for seven seasons. During that time, the 34-year-old scored 255 goals, putting him third on the club’s all-time goalscoring list.
Reflecting on their time together, Klopp explained that while daily training focused on typical instructions and responsibilities, the bigger picture of Salah’s output is extraordinary. He suggested that it would be very difficult for any future player to replicate those numbers, even looking years into the future.
A defining force in a historic attacking trio
During Klopp’s tenure, Salah played a key role in a hugely successful spell that delivered the Champions League, Premier League, three domestic trophies, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
Much of that success came with Salah operating on the right side of a front three alongside Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino. Over five seasons, the trio combined for 338 goals, forming one of the most productive attacking units in the game.
Salah led this association with 156 goals, significantly surpassing Mané and Firmino. Klopp highlighted that being slightly ahead of two such talented team-mates highlighted Salah’s unique qualities within the group.
He described Mané as a versatile player capable of multiple roles, while Firmino brought creativity and selflessness. Salah, however, has stood out for his tireless focus on goal, always driven by the decisive moment in front of goal.
Relentless mentality behind the numbers
Klopp noted that Salah’s instinct to score is something that cannot be taught. According to him, this natural hunger for goals has always been part of the striker’s character and will remain so throughout his life.
The German also revealed that he had recently exchanged messages with Salah, expressing his hope that the striker will enjoy the rest of the season. Klopp noted that enjoyment for Salah is closely linked to winning games and finding the net.
Having stepped down at the end of the 2023-24 campaign after announcing he had “run out of energy”, Klopp was given an emotional farewell at Anfield in his final game against Wolves.
He concluded by encouraging Liverpool supporters to cherish Salah’s final moments at the club, hoping fans will reflect with gratitude and pride on witnessing one of the most remarkable careers associated with the team.
