Only Roberto Firmino can claim to have played for Klopp more times than Salah, meaning the German has a decent understanding of the Egyptian and what makes him tick.
As a standard-bearer with unwavering belief in himself, Salah expects him to start and play every minute of every match. That makes him the player he is.
However, it is also what leads to explosive comments in the media when his manager’s expectations are not met, and Klopp himself has been the victim of this once or twice.
“I wouldn’t say he’s easy to manage, but he’s not difficult to manage either,” Klopp said BBC Sports as part of an hour-long look at the Egyptian’s story.
“You [only] I have problems with Mo Salah if he doesn’t play or if you take him out.”
You don’t have to look far back for an example: during the trip to West Ham in May 2024, the two words could be seen as Salah was due to be introduced from the bench.
“If I speak, there will be a fire today,” Salah told reporters as he declined media requests after the match.
Klopp: ‘Salah will be remembered as one of the greatest’
Speaking further about Salah, Klopp’s admiration for the Egyptian is clear, with his ruthless mentality ensuring the pair enjoyed success together.
“We are all hugely influenced by our past – how we grew up, where we grew up,” Klopp added.
“Mo knew it early on [in his life] that he had to do more than others. He was always developing. He never stops. That’s his mentality.
“After every summer vacation he would come back and have a new skill. It was as if he had only been practicing a certain type of step the whole time.
“We pushed each other, just to make sure we never stopped. And we never did. That moment when we lifted the Premier League bonded us for life.”
“He will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time.”
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