Jurgen Klopp breaks silence on Mohamed Salah's Liverpool exit and sends message to fans

Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season and former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to the Egyptian forward

Mohamed Salah spent the majority of his Liverpool career playing under Jurgen Klopp(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to Mohamed Salah following the 33-year-old's announcement that he will depart at the end of the season.

The 58-year-old praised the attacker as a trophy-laden era at the Reds comes to an end ahead of his summer departure.

The German acclaimed Salah for his record-breaking spell at Anfield and urged Liverpool fans to give the Egyptian the farewell he deserves at the conclusion of the campaign.

The forward will exit Liverpool when the season finishes, with his final Premier League appearance for the Reds scheduled at home to Brentford on May 24.

Speaking to The Anfield Wrap, he said: "I hope he can have a successful rest of the season. We texted last night but I really hope he enjoys the rest of the season, but I know Mo can only enjoy it if you win football matches and he scores.

"I really hope that on the last matchday, you all will have a smile on your face, be happy and thankful that one of the most incredible careers that we will ever be a part of.

"Where he came from, what he went through and what he gave us, incredible.

"When you work with him, the bigger view is just ridiculous, unmatched numbers, we may sit here in 10 years, maybe Ekitike (breaks his record) but it will be difficult. One of the all time greats leaves the club in the summer, lets see where he will show up next."

Under Klopp's guidance, Salah propelled Liverpool to soaring heights, reasserting the Reds' status as a global football titan.

Klopp dded: "It was a joy, a challenge, hard work from both sides (to work with him), an incredible outcome. I couldn't imagine something like this was possible, the numbers he produced, the performances, some of them will be unmatched I'm sure.

"I already look back and I can't believe how something like this was possible. The goals he scored, consistency he showed, the desire and eagerness to grow bigger and bigger."

Last season, Salah almost single-handedly steered Liverpool to Premier League glory, clinching the Golden Boot and most assists following his stellar performance in Arne Slot's inaugural campaign.

However, the current season has proven challenging for the Egyptian, as he has found it tough to emulate last season's feats.

A very public dispute with Slot in December reignited doubts about Salah's long-term future. While speculation about this being his final season at Anfield had surfaced well before their confrontation, Salah's inflammatory remarks ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations and the breakdown in their relationship appear to have influenced his departure.

Saudi Arabian clubs have been monitoring Salah's situation for some time. At the start Klopp's last season at Anfield, Al-Ittihad had a £150million verbal bid turned down, and throughout last season's contract standoff, when the prospect of leaving on a free transfer loomed large, a Saudi Pro League switch was discussed.

Liverpool and the striker ultimately reached an accord, bringing the matter to a close, with Salah putting pen to paper on a two-year contract. Yet, twelve months on, he has announced his intention to depart the club.