Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp talks Mohamed Salah transfer price in praising Reds star
JURGEN KLOPP will always be remembered in Liverpool folklore for being one man who went to Mo.
Posted Sunday, April 22, 2018 by Express.co.uk
Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Liverpool's top scorer Mohamed Salah
And for £37 million the Kop boss got what will prove to be the bargain buy of the season after a dynamic debut campaign which is fast making serious history.
Salah’s 31 Premier League goals have already rocketed the price on his head as he incredibly equalled a 38-game record held by Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez.
Elite company with Salah, 25, comfortably rubbing shoulders alongside the best as he puts on his shooting boots against old club Roma in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Klopp wasn’t interested in answering a “what price Mo now” question. He was more bothered about heaping more praise on the Egyptian and his classy sidekicks Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
And he’s still left scratching his head as to why no other clubs thought it was reasonable to cough up the same amount of cash for the sensation of the season.
Klopp said: “That’s the business part of football. The £37 million or whatever it was – I’m not sure of the price – it was the market and other teams could have bought him.
Mohamed Salah's goal against West Brom took his Premier League tally to 31 for the season
"Is it that now he’s scored 40 goals maybe we should pay £50 million? You always take the risk that it doesn’t work. But he’s a very good player and we hoped, we were pretty sure, it would work out.
"We couldn’t be 100 per cent sure. Is it a bargain? I don’t know but it’s the business. Which is the better business, to bring in Andy Robertson from Hull for a few million or doing that?
"It’s all good for the boys and the opportunity it gives them having really good players around. It’s always a benefit and they’re always more expensive than when they came in.
"What price Mo now? That’s not interesting. He’s stepped up to make the next step in his development. At Roma, he was really, really good and it’s only because England has such a great league that you obviously don’t watch other leagues often enough.
"But it’s clear he was really good at Roma and a very, very offensive midfield player. And he’s very cool in front of goal.”
Mohamed Salah scored in both legs of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City
Salah’s deadly partnership with Firmino and Mane is the talk of Red Merseyside – and probably all around the world. And Klopp never tires of applauding himself the talented trio.
Klopp added: “They are really good together. That’s how it is. It’s like we have to remind everybody or ourselves about the impact of Roberto.
"He is the guy who says ‘come on, I do it here, you go there’ so he is fresh for the sprints or whatever. Work-rate is outstanding – 100 per cent.
"But I cannot plan before the season that we have a front three scoring 70 goals or whatever. You cannot do that. We were pretty sure it would work out.”
Philippe Coutinho was a member of the happy band of brothers until his £142 million January move to Barcelona and Klopp was asked if the Brazilian would have any regrets as Liverpool take a giant step nearer their sixth piece of major European silverware.
Klopp said: “Hopefully not. So many silly things were written because I never said we were stronger without him. He is a world class player and will be a world class player in the future.
"I would love to have him around at this moment but we had to decide. He is in the club he wants to be and that’s good.
"Usually Barcelona would be in the Champions League and maybe with him they would still be in the competition but that’s how it is.
"Hopefully he does not have regrets and we wish him all the best.”
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