There is no big deal in Mohamed Salah coming up against AS Roma in Tuesday's Uefa Champions League semi-final tie at Anfield, according to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
The 25-year-old was signed from the Stadio Olimpico outfit - after a successful two-year stint - for a then club record fee, and has gone on to have an awe-inspiring debut campaign with the English Premier League side, scoring 41 goals so far and bagging several individual accolades, recently, the PFA Player of the Year award.
Klopp who joined the Reds from Borussia Dortmund in 2015, faced his former employers in the quarter-final of the Europa League the following year.
And with his star player set to line up against the team he played for last season, the German insists that although it 'feels quite special', it is a 'normal' practice in football.
"I think it’s pretty normal in football, it happens constantly that players change clubs and managers change clubs," Klopp said during his pre-match briefing.
"I had it with Dortmund about two years ago. It’s actually a normal game but, yes, it feels quite special because you know much more about the other team than you usually know and you are more interested in the other team than you usually are.
"I’m pretty sure Mo follows the whole season of Roma; he had a fantastic time there, he became the player there which we now have here. Big, big credit to all the staff and players at Roma because they are all part of his development.
Also, Klopp has warned Salah not to expect having an easy game against Eusebio Di Francesco's men who are fully aware of his incredible exploits so far.
"Yes, it’s strange but in the end we are all professionals. Italian defenders are famous for not having friendly games so I think Mo will feel pretty early in the game that they are not his teammates anymore – and then he can strike back in a football way."
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)