Jurgen Klopp’s advice to Liverpool about Mohamed Salah’s replacement | Football | Sport
Mohamed Salah and Jurgen Klopp spent seven years together at Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Jurgen Klopp has stated that Liverpool will be unable to replace Mohamed Salah and insists the club should not “chase the shadows” in attempting to do so. Salah is poised to leave Anfield following their fixture against Brentford on Saturday afternoon. The 33-year-old has featured 441 times for the Reds, netting 257 goals and providing 122 assists.
He has established himself as a legendary figure amongst the Anfield faithful and earned adoration from supporters shortly after his arrival in 2017. Significant debate has surrounded who should succeed Salah at Liverpool. Reported candidates have included West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.
Nevertheless, former Reds manager Klopp has cautioned that Liverpool will never manage to replicate Salah’s contribution to the club. Speaking earlier in the year following confirmation of Salah’s imminent departure, he said: “If it is impossible, why should you try? Don’t try to chase the shadows. Find a new way and play.
“I would not be surprised if he plays another six or seven years. He is an all-time great. This specific kind of player is irreplaceable.
“There will be a void that somebody will fill, but the specific player, Mo Salah? I’m not sure there is even another one existing out there. The numbers he produces as a winger are ridiculous.”
Salah has garnered considerable admiration from his former boss, as Klopp added: “I had to process what it means that Mo goes. I am already looking from the outside, so I texted him what I thought.
“I am really happy and proud that I was part of the whole journey. My God, what a player he is.”
Mohamed Salah played 349 times under Jurgen Klopp (Image: Getty)
However, the German conceded that the winger is difficult company when goals are not forthcoming. Klopp said: “Great team-mate, great guy – but not great company when he’s not scoring.
“Special players are a challenge, but we never lost respect for each other. That is what I really like.”
Salah will depart under something of a cloud, however, after revealing he is eager for the Reds to rediscover their finest form, as he delivered a bombshell statement following their 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa.
Vowing to help Liverpool achieve Champions League before his exit, the Egyptian said: “I have witnessed this club go from doubters to believers, and from believers to champions.
“It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that. Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve.
“I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good.
“It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it. Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. All teams win games. Liverpool will always be a club that means a great deal to me and to my family.
“I want to see it succeed for long after I have moved on. As I’ve always said, qualifying to next season’s Champions League is the bare minimum and I will do everything I can to make that happen.”
