Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah on Friday renewed his contract with the Merseyside club till 2025, putting an end to months of speculation about his future, and delighting manager Jurgen Klopp, who, reportedly, was the key figure behind the Egyptian’s decision to renew.

“Of course it has taken a little time [for Salah to sign a new contract] but that’s absolutely OK and the best things are always worth waiting for anyway,” Klopp told Liverpool’s in-house media, adding, “Mo is one of the best players in the world; it’s only normal there are things to sort when you are at his level.”

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“I have no doubt Mo’s best years are still to come. And that’s saying something, because the first five seasons here have been the stuff of legend,” the German further said, commenting on the 30-year-old’s future with Liverpool.

“Fitness-wise, he’s a machine – in the most incredible shape. He works hard on it and he gets his rewards. His ability and his skill level gets higher each season, and his decision-making has gone to another level also. He is adored by his teammates. As coaches we know we work with someone special. And the supporters have crowned him a king. So, very cool,” the 55-year-old added as an explanation.

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Indeed, Salah’s first five years with Liverpool have been nothing short of legendary, and the Egyptian has helped the club to win a number of trophies, including the coveted UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Community Shield.

Since joining in the summer of 2017, Salah has also scored a mind-boggling 156 goals in 254 games across all competitions, winning three Premier League Golden Boot awards along the way.

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The Egyptian’s renewal sets up an immensely exciting season for Liverpool and Liverpudlians alike, with the club having made promising acquisitions in the form of Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho this transfer window.

While Salah will indeed miss his long-time strike partner Sadio Mane, who has moved to Bayern Munich, the Egyptian has loads to look forward to as he marches towards footballing greatness.