Curtis Jones details classy Mohamed Salah gesture that sums up Liverpool legend

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The Liverpool forward is nearing the end of his glorious nine years on Merseyside, and Curtis Jones discussed his impact away from the pitch and how he has helped younger players settle in the squad

Curtis Jones praised Mohamed Salah's impact off the pitch at Liverpool

Curtis Jones paid tribute to Mohamed Salah after the 33-year-old scored in his final Merseyside Derby appearance on Sunday afternoon.

The Liverpool forward opened the scoring in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and was treated to a rapturous reception by the away section after the match.

Salah confirmed last month that he is set to leave the club at the end of the season, and he has just five more games remaining in a red shirt. He is set to bow out as the club’s third all-time highest scorer and a winner of every major trophy available during his nine years at the club.

But Jones opened up about Salah’s contribution away from the pitch and how his selfless actions have often helped the wider squad.

“Mo is the best ever. One of the best I’ve seen in my lifetime. One of the best I’ve played with,” Jones told Viaplay after the derby victory.

“I’ve seen how hard he works behind the scenes. He takes care of himself. He’s a great athlete."

“But on top of that as well, he helps the kids,” added Jones, who progressed through the academy and became a first-team regular during Salah’s stint at Liverpool.

Salah opened scoring in Sunday's derby(Image: Getty Images)

“He’s always helped me from when I was a kid. He’s always done huge things for me. When I was struggling with injuries and stuff.

“Mo is a huge inspiration, and I’m grateful for him. And it’s a huge loss - not just for us and the club, but the city as well.

“I think Mo has made a connection with all of us. He’s one of us. And losing him is losing a legend.”

Virgil van Dijk left Mohamed Salah visibly emotional after Liverpool's win over Everton(Image: Sky Sports)

That view was echoed by another of Salah’s teammates in the aftermath of Sunday’s game, with Virgil van Dijk’s praise clearly making the Egyptian emotional during an interview with Sky Sports.

“There will be a lot of words coming out of my mouth in the next couple of weeks about him,” said the Liverpool captain. “But he's so important for us, on and off the pitch.

“The appreciation sometimes come when players are gone but we appreciate him so much. He's an outstanding team-mate to have, we've been through everything together, high and lows. He will still be important for the last five games we have to play.

“It will be emotional for him and his family for sure but us as well because he means a lot to me, to the team and the fans, of course. But first, we still have a job to do. He knows it, that's the main focus.”