Jurgen Klopp has spoken of his immense admiration for Mohamed Salah, describing him as among the “greatest of all time” at Liverpool.
Klopp and Salah are two of the poster boys of the Premier League era at Anfield, enjoying incredible success working alongside each other.
With the Egyptian legend deciding to leave Liverpool this summer, endless tributes have been sent his way in recent days.
Few know Salah better than Klopp, and speaking to This Is Anfield, the German says he belongs among the pantheon of greats in Reds history.
“He’s right up there,” Klopp said.
“I cannot compare with others really, only the people and players I worked together with.
“But in my time and since I’m really, really following or working for Liverpool, he’s definitely up there with the greatest of all time.
“I don’t have to say that because you read the numbers, you know they are already something special and there must be some special player behind that.
“He’s set new standards and produced incredible numbers, he was a fantastic ambassador for his country, for the whole region there.
“A great guy, a real competitor, intense for a manager as well. He knows that, and we both had our moments together, but we always found together again quickly because we both wanted the same.
“We wanted the maximum success for our team.
“I can already look back and I know how it will feel for you all hopefully when you look back with a massive smile on your face and think ‘oh my, what a time that was.’
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by touching the badge after scoring the fourth (and 50th European) goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Life goes on and that’s how it should be, and when we meet like we do now for a Legends game, and you meet all the other guys from the past, it’s like a meeting with your old schoolmates.”
Klopp also revealed what Salah is like behind the scenes, with his work ethic an inspiration for those around him.
“That’s one of the biggest strengths. It’s consistency – being available is everything,” he added.
“We have massive talent, I saw massive talents, but it’s not only attitude. It’s luck as well.
“Things in your body give you an opportunity to be nearly perfect, for others, it’s not perfect. You have to work incredibly hard, that’s what he did. He set standards on a daily basis.
“Work-rate wise, he was a role model for a lot of young players, who saw that and thought, ‘oh, that’s what I have to do.’
“Great teammate, great guy, not really great company when he’s not scoring! That’s exactly how big players are.”
When asked if that included when Salah was substituted, Klopp joked: “Oh yeah, 87th minute and five minutes extra time mean in Mo’s mind that it’s probably eight goals possible and I took them all away!
“It’s all good, that’s what you need. The desire, the eagerness, even the selfishness. We criticise him for being too selfish, but then celebrate the goal when he outplays five players.
MADRID, SPAIN - SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2019: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates with Mohamed Salahafter the UEFA Champions League Final match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Estadio Metropolitano. Liverpool won 2-0 tp win their sixth European Cup. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I really loved being part of his career and his journey and I know he influential he was, and I hoped you celebrate the last match and everybody goes with these positive feelings in the last period of the season.”
As Klopp openly admits, there were times when he and Salah didn’t always see eye to eye, but he clearly thinks the world of him as a player and a colleague.
Both are born winners who inspired Liverpool to so much success, not least Champions League and Premier League glory, and the mutual respect is great.
Klopp was as important for Salah as the other way round, and as the years pass, the more their success and brilliance will be appreciated.