By Martin Graham
Former manager Jürgen Klopp has described Mohamed Salah as an “all-time great,” insisting the forward’s achievements at Liverpool will be incredibly hard to match. The Egyptian recently confirmed he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, bringing an end to a nine-year stay at the club.
Klopp, who brought Salah to Liverpool from Roma in 2017 for £34m, worked with him for seven seasons. Over that time, the 34-year-old scored 255 goals, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list.
Reflecting on their time together, Klopp explained that while daily coaching focused on typical instructions and responsibilities, the broader picture of Salah’s output is extraordinary. He suggested it would be very difficult for any future player to replicate those numbers, even when looking years ahead.
A defining force in a historic attacking trio
During Klopp’s tenure, Salah played a key role in a highly successful period 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. Across five seasons, the trio combined for 338 goals, forming one of the most productive attacking units in the game.
Salah led that partnership with 156 goals, significantly outscoring Mané and Firmino. Klopp emphasized that being slightly ahead of two such talented teammates 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, stood out for his relentless focus on scoring, always driven by the decisive moment in front of goal.
Relentless mindset behind the numbers
Klopp pointed out that Salah’s instinct for scoring is something that cannot be taught. According to him, that natural hunger for goals has always been part of the forward’s character and will remain so throughout his life.
The German also revealed that he had recently exchanged messages with Salah, expressing hope that the forward enjoys the remainder of the season. Klopp noted that enjoyment for Salah is closely tied to winning matches and finding the net.
Having stepped down himself at the end of the 2023-24 campaign after announcing he had “run out of energy,” Klopp received an emotional farewell at Anfield in his final match against Wolves.
He concluded by encouraging Liverpool supporters to appreciate Salah’s final moments at the club, hoping fans would reflect with gratitude and pride on witnessing one of the most remarkable careers associated with the team.
