Manager Jurgen Klopp has given an unequivocal heartfelt reaction to Mohamed Salah’s departure from Liverpool, revealing personal conversations and long-standing transfer rumors as one of the club’s greatest modern eras comes to an end.
Speaking ahead of the game against the Legends at Anfield, the former Liverpool manager admitted that he had exchanged messages with Salah after the Egyptian announced he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Klopp’s tone was more reflective than surprised, acknowledging both the inevitability of change and the scale of what Salah had achieved.
“I really hope he enjoys the rest of the season,” Klopp said in an interview on Anfield Wrap. “But I know Mo, he only enjoys football when he wins and scores.
“On the day of the final game, I just hope everyone is smiling and grateful that they were able to be a part of it.”
Salah’s departure brings to an end a nine-year chapter that once again transformed Liverpool into a global powerhouse.
Joined from Roma in 2017, he became a central part of Klopp’s attacking system, helping the club to Premier League titles, Champions League glory and sustained dominance at the top level.
Klopp looked back on Salah’s early days at the club and revealed that even the player himself had doubts about how he would fit into the team.
“When he arrived, he asked me where I would play,” Klopp recalled. “I told him about the right side and he was worried about the players we already have. But look what happened after that.”
What followed was one of the most prolific spells in Liverpool’s history. Salah’s goal return under Klopp was over 200, and his consistency and durability made him a cornerstone of the team’s success.
“It was all about joy, challenge and effort on both sides,” Klopp said. “The results were incredible.
“Honestly, I didn’t think he would be able to put up numbers like this. Some of the things he’s done are very difficult to replicate.”
The German manager suggested that Salah’s influence goes beyond statistics, pointing to his mentality and constant drive to improve as hallmarks of his success.
Klopp addresses Brandt rumors
As well as paying his respects, Klopp took the opportunity to rubbish the theory that has been around since Salah’s arrival – that Liverpool initially preferred Julian Brandt.
“There’s always been talk about wanting to sign Julian Brandt,” Klopp said. “But when you take a winger, you talk to a lot of players. Of course we talked to him, but we also talked to Mo.”
He made it clear that Salah is not an alternative option.
“At that moment we knew he was the right player,” added Klopp. “Probably more convinced than himself at the time.”
The clarification ends a long-standing debate among supporters over whether Liverpool’s modern-day success could have taken a different path.
Farewell marking the end of an era
As Salah prepares for his final months in a Liverpool shirt, Klopp believes his achievements will stand the test of time, even as new talent emerges.
“I can’t say never in football, but those numbers and that consistency are not easy to replace,” admitted Klopp. “In 10 years, we might be sitting here talking about someone coming up, but it’s going to be difficult.”
For Liverpool fans, the focus now shifts to giving Salah the send-off he deserves for his career. For Klopp, that remorse is already evident, a partnership that has brought silverware, records and unforgettable moments.
Salah may be preparing to leave, but as Klopp has made clear, his influence at Anfield will remain part of the club’s identity for years to come.
