Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has labelled Mo Salah a “really special” player after he broke Thierry Henry’s record to become the all-time leading scorer in European competitions for an English club.

Henry had scored 42 times in Europe during his spell with Arsenal but Salah’s goal against Toulouse on Thursday evening was his 43rd for Liverpool. Asked about the Egyptian international’s impact since arriving at Anfield in 2017, Klopp lavished praise on the player, stating that Salah’s adaptability has enabled him to remain world-class:

“He has been the man for us for a long time now. But he is growing in the role he has for us in football and maybe, in general, to show that on [the] top level it is nice to enjoy the moment and then you go again. That is what he is doing.”

“The young Mo was a super-fast player who could run in behind and play a role together with [Edin] Dzeko [at Roma]. From the first day here he had to do different things, he adapted extremely well, but the playmaker in that front row was probably more Bobby Firmino and you don’t need then two players who are deeper.”

“Now it is slightly different – especially when Darwin is playing we have another speed player up there – so that changed Mo’s position. He is smart enough to adapt to all these things and there has been a massive development since he arrived. He was, in all phases, world-class and that is probably the best thing you can say about a player…We appreciate him and everyone will appreciate him even more after his career because then you will say: ‘Wow, we saw something really special’.”

Salah has been in outstanding form this season

With 9 goals and 4 assists in 12 appearances, the 31-year-old is on course for another excellent campaign. He is just 5 short of 200 goals for Liverpool, putting him 5th in the club’s all-time list.

Salah is very unlikely to reach Ian Rush’s 346-goal record but you can’t completely rule it out. Klopp has also said that the forward has many years left in him despite being the wrong side of 30.

Liverpool may have to resist another offer from the Middle East

After turning down a bid from Saudi Arabia for Salah in September, the Reds may be anticipating another offer at the end of the season.

With the player’s contract expiring in 2025, there could be a temptation to sell up. However, if he is still firing in the goals, the Merseyside club would be reluctant to let him go.

Watch the VTF Football Show on Shots!TV as our pundits discuss whether Liverpool are the real deal