Klopp Backs Liverpool Star to Potentially Eclipse Salah's "Ridiculous" Goal Tally

Jurgen Klopp has firmly rebutted Jamie Carragher's narrative surrounding Mohamed Salah's arrival at Liverpool, declaring his commitment to the Egyptian winger was absolute from the moment negotiations began.

Carragher had suggested on Stick To Football that Klopp harboured ambitions to sign Julian Brandt instead, with Salah only becoming the target after the German proved unavailable. The former defender claimed Liverpool's recruitment team had been instrumental in pushing for the now-departing forward, implying managerial indecision had nearly cost the club dearly.

Klopp dismissed the notion entirely. "There's always a story that I wanted to sign Julian Brandt or something like that," the Liverpool boss said. "When you go for a winger you talk to seven or eight, and yes, we spoke to Julian Brandt but we spoke to Mo Salah. It's not he didn't want it so we took him, whatever people think I don't care, but in the moment we were 100 per cent convinced he was the one."

The gaffer's endorsement comes as Salah prepares to depart Anfield at the conclusion of the season following an underwhelming campaign under Arne Slot, despite steering the Reds to the Premier League title in the Dutchman's inaugural year. The 32-year-old sits third on Liverpool's all-time scoring charts with 255 goals, trailing only Roger Hunt (285) and Ian Rush (346).

While Klopp expressed hope that Salah would finish his final months on a high, he acknowledged the astronomical challenge facing any successor to his legacy. The manager suggested one current squad member could conceivably reach such heights, though he hedged his bets considerably.

"The numbers are just ridiculous, unmatched," Klopp explained. "We may sit here in 10 years, maybe Ekitike will break his record but it will be difficult. He's one of the all-time greats, definitely, and will leave the club in the summer."

Klopp's reflections underscored the magnitude of Salah's contribution, describing his journey and impact as "incredible" while expressing genuine affection for the forward's imminent departure.