Liverpool’s recent glory days were largely built on the goals of Mohamed Salah and the tactical nous of their former manager, Jurgen Klopp. However, it turns out the pair may not have had the best working relationship, after all.
Salah joined the Reds from Roma way back in 2017, and has become a bonafide Premier League legend in the years since, scoring over 200 goals for Liverpool and claiming a league title, a Champions League win, and three Golden Boots in the process.
Klopp may have been the man to bring Salah to Anfield, but a few incidents towards the end of the German’s tenure at the club, suggested there may have been some friction between the Liverpool icons.
Most notably, the pair were involved in a heated row on the touchline during the game against West Ham at the backend of last season, with Salah appearing to refuse Klopp’s request for him to warm up.
Now, fresh details of the relationship between the Egyptian star and his former manager have emerged thanks to an in-depth report from the Daily Mail, which suggests Salah felt he barely learned anything new while working with Klopp.
Apparently, Salah has told friends that he benefitted far more from his coach at Roma, Luciano Spalletti, particularly when it comes to working on the defensive side of his game. The 32-year-old regards the Italian as the “best coach he worked for” and that his career progressed most while in Serie A.
Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool in May after nine years at the club. (Image: Getty)
The problems run both ways, though. While the relationship between the duo is described as “professional, mutually respectful, and almost always cordial,” the report suggests Klopp was not keen on the signing of Salah in the first place.
It is thought Salah was very much a signing by the board, while Klopp had pushed instead for the signing of Julian Brandt at the time.
Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring a goal for Liverpool. Image: Getty
While things never truly broke down between Salah and Klopp, there is a belief that the player did not hold his manager in such high esteem like most of the Liverpool squad did and still do.
Salah’s contract at Liverpool expires at the end of this season, and it is still not known whether he will stick around at Anfield, or follow Klopp’s example and depart for pastures new.