Slot: Mo Salah is Special and Will Undoubtedly Depart as a Legend

Mohamed Salah's announcement last week that he would depart Liverpool at the end of the current season sent ripples across the football world. Now, for the first time, Reds manager Arne Slot has addressed the news. The Dutchman, who has at times faced the Egyptian's disapproval over certain decisions, particularly this season, nonetheless spoke at length about the winger's exceptional qualities that make him a special player.

"I was aware, so it wasn't news to me, but I think it was wonderful to hear and see all the reactions from his teammates, and indeed from around the world, for everything he has done for this club and for football in general.

Over the years, as a fan watching football, I saw him play for Liverpool and do all these special things – the matches against Manchester City, but also all the others. How he broke record after record. Then I started working with him, and from day one, I was impressed by his professionalism. Because, like every season, it all starts with a test that shows how much players have done during the off-season. He was the fittest player when he returned. That's the ideal situation for a manager – your star player returning in the form he was in before.

He had nothing to prove to others, but he always felt he had something to prove to himself, because Mo always believes he needs to prove something every three days. That hunger never stops, and that's what I find most special about him. This hunger, this professionalism, dedication, desire to score goals and always play – that impresses me. When you take him off three minutes before the end, his expression says, 'Maybe I could have scored another goal!'

I hope that in the coming weeks and months, he can make the legacy he leaves even more special. But in any case, he will leave this club as a legend.

Mo definitely deserves a fantastic send-off from the fans. If they want to do it match after match, I completely agree with that, because it usually helps players if they get support from the fans. Mo will receive it 100%," Slot told Liverpool's official website.