Jürgen Klopp sent a congratulatory message to Mohamed Salah this week after Egypt qualified for the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup in North America. The former Liverpool manager praised the performance of his former player, a key figure in the Egyptian national team, as the Pharaohs secured their spot in the Round of 32 following the group stage. This exchange comes at a time when former Liverpool stars are closely followed on the international scene.
In an interview with ESPN, Jürgen Klopp reflected on the nature of his relationship with Mohamed Salah. The German coach talked about how their interactions have evolved over the years, marked by an intense collaboration at Liverpool. He explained that managing a top-level squad sometimes makes it tough to establish personal relationships completely detached from sporting stakes, especially due to tactical decisions and daily responsibilities that come with being a coach.

However, Klopp made it clear that this period is now in the past. According to him, the years spent at Anfield helped build a solid foundation of mutual respect between the two men. The former Reds manager emphasized that their shared experiences and successes at Liverpool significantly strengthened their relationship. Now, their interactions are more personal, free from sporting constraints, with regular and more open communication.
The German coach also mentioned a recent interaction involving Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, two former pillars of Liverpool’s attack. After Egypt’s draw against Iran, which confirmed their qualification, Sadio Mané reportedly posted a congratulatory message on social media. Klopp noted that he saw this post and took a screenshot to send to Salah, believing it was important for his former player to see this recognition from a former teammate.
🎙️🗣️| Jürgen Klopp on Mo Salah:
“I just texted with him. What do you wanna know?” 🤣
pic.twitter.com/VQLyRqLAeF https://t.co/3gZVQJ6isZ— Living Liverpool (@Livin_Liverpool) June 28, 2026
Finally, Jürgen Klopp highlighted Mohamed Salah’s overall impact, both on the field and in the media. He described the Egyptian forward as a player whose influence goes beyond European football, thanks to his consistency and long-term performances. With a touch of humor, he mentioned Salah’s popularity in Egypt, suggesting that his ties to the country make any discreet visit nearly impossible. Klopp concluded by reminding everyone that he has coached many top-level players, but Salah holds a special place in his career due to his consistency and offensive effectiveness.
🗣️🎙️| Jürgen Klopp on Mo Salah :
We are friends now. I text him.
I cannot be their best friend but I want to be the friend of my players.
While you're working together, the players sometimes think that I'm not even their friend because we've to make some decisions you don't… pic.twitter.com/NZFED5UY5z
— Living Liverpool (@Livin_Liverpool) June 28, 2026




