Ex-Liverpool star shares bold Mohamed Salah prediction after legends game

• 

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Liverpool FC

The former Liverpool star was speaking after he impressed in the club's legends game against Dortmund, with Babel providing the assist for Thiago's opening goal of the game

Ryan Babel spoke after Liverpool's legends game against Dortmund

Ex-Liverpool winger Ryan Babel believes Mohamed Salah’s greatness will not be fully appreciated until his time at the club comes to an end this summer.

The Egyptian confirmed earlier this week that he plans to leave the Reds at the end of the season. Talk of Salah’s imminent exit was unavoidable ahead of Saturday’s Liverpool legends’ game against Dortmund on Saturday.

With Jurgen Klopp back in town, it was inevitable that he would face a barrage of questions about his one-time star man, and Salah dominated Friday’s pre-match coverage from the Anfield Sport & Community Centre. He was still a major talking point after the game, with Babel, an ex-Reds winger, asked about the impact Salah has made on Merseyside.

“I think we have to be very appreciative and grateful for what he has done for the club,” the Dutchman told reporters.

“I think it will be really felt once he is not here anymore. That's usually how it is. In the moment, we tend to forget really quick, but I think what he's done for us is unbelievable.”

Babel joined Liverpool from Ajax in 2007 and went on to play 146 times for the club. After an initially bright start, he struggled to maintain that impact over the subsequent years and ultimately left the club after three and a half years.

Frimpong has endured a mixed start to his Liverpool career(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Dutch players were at a premium during his time at Anfield, but now under Arne Slot’s guidance, Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad is made up of four Liverpool stars.

Jeremie Frimpong is among them. A rapid forward who has shown bright moments in his first season at Liverpool, there are certain similarities with Babel. But the 39-year-old hopes Frimpong will make an even greater impact at Liverpool in the coming years.

“For his first season, I think he's doing okay. He had some injuries. I always believe to adapt to English football is not easy.

Babel played for Liverpool between 2007-11 and scored some memorable goals(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

“It's not for everyone to be an immediate impact. So I think for his first season he's been quite well.”

“I believe in the second season, he understands the culture and club is about and then he can fully focus on his performance.”

On the legends’ game, Babel added: “It’s always a special feeling to be invited back.

“I feel like there's no community like Liverpool. The fans have been supportive, not just for the first team, but for the overall Liverpool brand. It’s unbelievable for a full stadium.”

Liverpool drew 2-2, with Babel providing the assist for Thiago’s opening goal of the game. Jay Spearing then netted a superb strike from distance, before Mohamed Zidan and Jan Koller netted for Dortmund after the break.