In a heartfelt tribute, former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has proclaimed Mohamed Salah as an “all-time great” following the Egyptian forward’s announcement that he will conclude his historic tenure at Anfield this season. The German tactician, who originally secured Salah’s transfer from AS Roma in 2017, expressed both pride and sorrow regarding the departure of the club icon.
Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport at a Liverpool FC Legends charity event, Klopp lauded the 33-year-old’s unparalleled professionalism and transformative impact. “He set completely new standards for a professional football player—how hard you can work, how much you can invest in recovery and everything,” Klopp remarked. Despite the emotional farewell, Klopp speculated on Salah’s remarkable longevity, stating he “would not be surprised if he plays another six or seven years,” potentially extending his career into his late thirties.
The Klopp-Salah era proved immensely successful, delivering every major honor including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, two EFL Cups, along with the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Reflecting on their shared journey, Klopp noted, “Mo and I had big dreams, but we didn’t dare to dream that big.” He emphasized the symbiotic relationship, declaring Salah was “the perfect player for us” while Liverpool served as “the perfect club for him.”
Addressing the timing of the departure—with one year remaining on Salah’s contract—Klopp endorsed the mutual decision as a “fair deal,” emphasizing there should be “no bad sentiment at all.” While acknowledging the forward’s “irreplaceable” status and the void his absence will create, Klopp urged the club to innovate rather than seek a direct replacement. “The numbers for a winger are ridiculous. For a striker they are pretty much unmatched,” he conceded, advising Liverpool to “find a new way” and develop a refreshed tactical identity.
Salah departs having netted 255 goals for the Reds, cementing his position as the third-highest scorer in the club’s illustrious history, trailing only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. His exit marks the end of an epoch, with the upcoming season being Liverpool’s first without Salah since 2016.