They think I'm not their friend — Klopp shares state of current relationship with Salah

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has dismissed any notions of a lingering rift between himself and Mohamed Salah, insisting the pair have developed a genuine friendship despite occasionally butting heads during their time at Anfield. 

Speaking in a candid interview with ESPN, Klopp, who now serves as the head of global soccer for Red Bull, reflected on the difficult dynamics of a player-manager relationship. 

"We are friends now," the German tactician said. "While you're working together, players sometimes think I'm not even their friend because I have to make some decisions they don't like. But the good thing is it's all past... The strongest thing in life is good memories." 

Klopp's comments come after the pair endured a topsy-turvy relationship towards the end of their time together at Anfield, highlighted by the touchline altercation during a 2-2 Premier League draw against West Ham United in April 2024. 

Salah arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2017, and during their seven-year chronological overlap working together until Klopp left, the duo orchestrated one of the most successful periods in the club's history. 

Together, they secured the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League, famously ended Liverpool's 30-year domestic drought by lifting the 2019/20 Premier League, and collected a slew of domestic and international honours.

With Klopp having already successfully transitioned into his overarching executive role, and Salah having wrapped up his nine-year stint on Merseyside as one of the Premier League's all-time greatest wingers, the duo’s bond is as strong as ever, the German claims.