Mohamed Salah doesn’t need the extra motivation to break records and achieve potential legendary status, according to Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds won a 3-0 win over Norwich in their Premier League opener on Sunday, with Salah scoring one and assisting twice.
His 74th-minute curler scored his fifth straight goal on Matchday 1 of a Premier League season, a feat never achieved before.
As Klopp’s men prepare for Saturday against Burnley, who ended Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten streak at Anfield last season, Salah approaches another Premier League milestone.
The Egyptian striker has scored 98 goals in 159 Premier League games, with just four players reaching 100 in their first 160 appearances of the competition – Alan Shearer (124), Harry Kane (141), Sergio Aguero (147) and Thierry Henry (160).
Klopp, however, says his role in motivating Salah to achieve such accolades is limited.
“I don’t have to,” Klopp replied when asked if he needed to cheer on Salah. “He knows it, he’s aware of all of these things.
“He likes spending time here. I had no idea when he broke the record last week. When he plays as hard as he does, he gets into situations where he can score.
“He’s very hungry for goals. There’s no doubt about it. With his quality, he can also set records for assists.
“I never told him he could be there, or one of Liverpool’s greatest legends. It’s nothing to you. Records, yes, but becoming a legend… that [is for] after the end of your career. I hope he can stay like this. “
Since Salah’s return to the Premier League in June 2017, no Liverpool player has created more chances than his 252, while only Andy Robertson can boast of his 35 assists.
In the same period, no top player can match his 96 goals for the Reds, Tottenham’s Harry Kane eight goals behind in second.
Indeed, Salah rioted at Carrow Road as he was involved in nine of 19 shots against Liverpool – no player was involved in more of their team’s attempts on Matchday 1.
As the 29-year-old continues to wreak havoc on the pitch, there is still speculation off the pitch with his current contract expiring in 2023.
When asked if there has been any progress with a new deal, Klopp said: “I’m involved in pretty much everything at the club. We don’t talk about those things.
“From day one he came back he was absolutely brilliant. We are all professionals. There are discussions and there are discussions.
“When there is a decision, we’ll tell you. Until then, it’s just how the parties work together. There are two years left, you can imagine there are talks.”
