Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he never signed Mohamed Salah with an eye on playing him as a striker.

For Klopp, it is the ability of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to free up acres of space that allows Salah to dart down the middle and score so many goals - 38 already this season and counting.

“He [Salah] played more on the wing at Roma, for example, where he had a very dominant striker in Dzeko. Nobody could know [that he could play as a striker]. We learnt it step by step.

“We didn't know exactly that he's [capable] of playing in the centre. He's had games. It's normal when you're 1-0 up and you leave him in the centre with the counter attack.

"We will not treat him like, 'You don't have to train, Mo – just come on Saturday for the game and we'll see you there at Anfield or whatever.' He doesn't want that.

"He's exactly in the moment of his career but he knows there is a lot for him to come. He wants to learn and he wants to improve."