Mohamed Salah set standards at Liverpool that “will stay unmatched”, former manager Jurgen Klopp said following the announcement of the Egyptian’s impending departure.

It was confirmed this week that Salah will leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Salah has enjoyed a decorated spell with Liverpool since joining from Roma in 2017, scoring 255 goals in 435 goals in all competitions. Only Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) have scored more goals for the Reds.

The Egyptian has helped Liverpool to two Premier League titles, while also winning the Champions League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Aside from last season’s Premier League title, which the Reds claimed after a campaign that saw Salah rack up 47 goal involvements, a record for a 38-game Premier League season, all of those honours were won under the management of Klopp.

And speaking ahead of a charity match between Liverpool legends and Borussia Dortmund legends, Klopp paid tribute to his former talisman.

“I think Mo and I, we had big dreams, but I think we didn’t dare to dream that big,” said Klopp.

“In the summer, after Mo leaves, and whatever he’s doing, best of luck, because he deserves it.

“We will all realise pretty quickly that it’s different now and the numbers he produced, the standards he set, I think some of them, if not all, will stay unmatched. 

“In this modern Premier League era, definitely, because it’s just ridiculous to do that, and do it for one club more or less.

“He helped the team to be very, very successful, was successful for himself, which is rare in this sport. As a striker you can do, but as a striker you have to take criticism. You are the greatest on a day you score but not when you don’t score, so the criticism is as big as the praise.

“To deal with all that, to stay by yourself, to stay yourself, is really tricky, and he did that in exceptional ways. 

“He’s one of the best professionals I’ve ever met, he’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. We texted the other day, and we had our arguments, but it was always for the right reasons and it’s always fine, especially now looking back, it’s more than fine.

“And we are both really happy about being part of that incredible journey.”