Jurgen Klopp hails ‘exceptional guy and world-class’ Mohamed Salah prior to Liverpool’s clash with Man United… with the Reds forward now fully fit ahead of title run-in

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Mohamed Salah as ‘an exceptional guy and world-class player’, with the Egyptian now fully fit and ready to spearhead Liverpool’s charge to four trophies after missing the majority of 2024 through injury.

Salah played 90 minutes of Liverpool’s 6-1 win over Sparta Prague on Thursday, scoring one and assisting three more, with the 31-year-old taking his tally to the season to 20 goals for the seventh successive campaign – a feat no Reds player has ever achieved before.

Klopp hailed the ‘unbelievable’ effort of Salah’s team-mates to keep a winning formula going amid their star man’s absence – but insisted things can only get better for Liverpool with a key FA Cup quarter-final trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

‘It’s super good (to have him back), you saw it last night,’ said Klopp. ‘How many goals did he set up in the first half? He scored and was involved in all the others pretty much. (It was) exceptional.

‘It was a strange game in the second half, I would have loved to take him off but it was not possible because of Bobby’s situation (Clark’s minor injury) and he could manage that pretty well. Even then he set up another goal which was offside.

Salah (pictured) took his goal tally for the season to 20 goals for the seventh consecutive term

Klopp hailed his star man’s efforts as he played his first 90 minutes since injury on Thursday

‘Mo is pure quality. Ask him what he likes most about Manchester United but the more we talk about it the less likely it will happen again. Exceptional guy, a world-class player and how we dealt without him was unbelievable.

‘Unbelievable. The boys did really well but it is better to have him around and on the pitch than just in the dressing room. We could build it now with his minutes and he is ready for Sunday (against United).’

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been handed several injury boosts ahead of the title run-in with Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota all hoping to return to action within the next three or four weeks.

Ibrahima Konate, though, has suffered a slight setback in his hamstring injury and is now unlikely to play against Manchester United. Ryan Gravenberch has trained and is hoping to be part of the travelling number to Old Trafford.

The injured Trent Alexander-Arnold should return to action in the next three to four weeks

Ibrahima Konate (left), however, has suffered a slight setback in his hamstring injury and will not play against Manchester United

Klopp said: ‘Mo is definitely ready. Ibou didn’t train today, we have to see if he can train tomorrow but it will be a tight, tight race which we probably lose, but we don’t know.

‘Bobby felt much better. It was uncomfortable, he got a knock there, a little swelling and that swelling led to the feeling it could be something more serious. But it’s not, he’s fine. Ryan trained today again so is ready as well. And some of the others (will be back) after the international break.

‘Curtis and I think the other two Diogo and Trent for the week after, they have a chance.’