‘We didn’t dare to dream that big’ – Former Liverpool boss Klopp says Salah has ‘set new standards’ | OneFootball

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Mo Salah has “set new standards”, following the forward’s announcement that he would be leaving the club this summer.

Salah was signed by the club while Klopp was in charge, and went on to win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League under the German boss.

Klopp was speaking ahead of the LFC Foundation Legends charity match, with the 58-year-old returning to Anfield as an assistant manager for the game.

And reflecting on his time managing Salah, Klopp hailed his impact as one of the all time Premier-League greats.

“I think Mo and I, we had big dreams, but I think we didn’t dare to dream that big,” he said.

“In the summer, after Mo leaves, and whatever he’s doing, best of luck, because he deserves it.

“We will all realise pretty quickly that it’s different now and the numbers he produced, the standards he set, I think some of them, if not all, will stay unmatched. 

“In this modern Premier League era, definitely, because it’s just ridiculous to do that, and do it for one club more or less.

“He helped the team to be very, very successful, was successful for himself, which is rare in this sport. As a striker you can do, but as a striker you have to take criticism. You are the greatest on a day you score but not when you don’t score, so the criticism is as big as the praise.

“To deal with all that, to stay by yourself, to stay yourself, is really tricky, and he did that in exceptional ways. 

“He’s one of the best professionals I’ve ever met, he’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. We texted the other day, and we had our arguments, but it was always for the right reasons and it’s always fine, especially now looking back, it’s more than fine. And we are both really happy about being part of that incredible journey.”

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Klopp also believes Salah’s professionalism and the effort he puts in to his fitness has set new standards for footballers.

“He is an incredible professional, he set completely new standards for a professional football player, how hard you can work, how much you can invest in recovery and everything,” he said.

“If something came up, he got all the information about it and then he had it the next day, and if it was not good then he threw it away again.

“I would not be surprised if he plays another six or seven years, to be honest, wherever. But now, as I said, an all-time great, definitely, without a shadow of a doubt. And I’m really proud of being part of that career.”

And looking ahead, Klopp now believes it is time for the next generation of Liverpool stars, with his famous front three of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane no longer together.

“The front three is now history, for myself, because I’m around the famous front three, and now there’s open space for the next ones coming,” he said.

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