Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised the level of commitment of his African players.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have been integral to the club's success in recent seasons.

And Klopp says players from Africa have a special motivation unlike players from Europe.

"In Europe, it's difficult to find that [special story] – maybe in London it's possible, I'm not too sure. All the African players have this story. It means they are motivated through the roof. It's about the story that is behind them," he told the Guardian.

"If you look at Sadio Mane: running away from home. Mo Salah: driving four and a half hours every day to training. You have these stories there. You don't have these stories here. I read an article about the influence of Mo Salah at this moment in the Arabic world – it's unbelievable!"

"In Europe, it's difficult to find that [special story] – maybe in London it's possible, I'm not too sure. All the African players have this story. It means they are motivated through the roof. It's about the story that is behind them," he continued.

"If you look at Sadio Mane: running away from home. Mo Salah: driving four and a half hours every day to training. You have these stories there. You don't have these stories here. I read an article about the influence of Mo Salah at this moment in the Arabic world – it's unbelievable!"

He added: "I love the fact that we have so many African players, until the African Cup of Nations starts. Then it's: 'Oh my God!

"It's still better than it used to be because before they were out in the middle of the season. In the past, because the Africa Cup of Nations was in the winter it was really a reason not to sign a player because you would lose him for four weeks in the middle of the season. That was really something we had in our minds always."