Manager Jurgen Klopp has previously praised Mohamed Salah as a “fantastic human being” despite widely publicized differences of opinion during their joint tenure at Liverpool. The Egyptian striker, who joined the Reds from AS Roma, has put in some outstanding performances, but his relationship with his manager has sometimes been difficult.
Prolific goalscorer Salah has recently criticized current manager Arne Slott after being left out of the starting XI for three games in a row. After Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday, Salah revealed: “I used to have a good relationship with[Slot]. Now I don’t have a relationship with him, but I don’t know why. It seems like[someone]doesn’t want me at the club.”
“I called my dad and mom and told them to come to the Brighton game. It doesn’t matter if I play or not, I’m going to enjoy it. I’m just going to Anfield before the African Cup of Nations and say goodbye to the fans because you never know what’s going to happen when you’re there.”
The relationship between Salah and Slott appears to be strained, but his former boss Klopp has always been a vocal supporter of the Liverpool star. Last year, the German manager praised Salah’s character and insisted he be offered a new contract at Anfield.
“I hope he stays,” Klopp declared. “He’s the greatest striker Liverpool have had in modern times. There were obviously other really good strikers.
“He’s a great player, a great human being and an outstanding athlete. He’s the best ambassador for your country. I hope he stays at Liverpool.”
Of course, Klopp and Salah had their fair share of friction during the German manager’s time at Anfield. The pair famously had a heated exchange on the sideline during a goalless draw against West Ham at the London Stadium in May 2024.
After the confrontation, Mr Salah suggested there would be a “flare up” if he revealed what had happened. But Klopp was quick to dismiss any suggestion that there would be any lasting rift between the two sides.
“I think we have the right to deal with these things completely independent of external expectations,” Klopp said at the time.
“If we hadn’t known each other so long, I don’t know how we would have handled it, but we’ve known each other for a long time and have a lot of respect for each other, so it’s not really a problem.
“The best situation would be that everyone is in the best position. If we win the game and score a lot of goals, then yes. Mo probably wouldn’t have been in that situation because he wouldn’t have been on the bench in the first place. It all depends on each other.”
