Cody Gakpo namedrops Liverpool ace who acts as the guiding beacon for the youngsters at Anfield

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo praises Mohamed Salah for his professionalism and mentorship of the younger players at the club

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo heaped praise on “professional” Mohamed Salah and acknowledged his influence on the younger players. Salah has continued his remarkable goal-scoring form despite changes in his role under the manager Jurgen Klopp’s “Liverpool 2.0”.

Liverpool are currently challenging for all the trophies after successfully progressing in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup. The Reds are also in the thick of the Premier League title chase alongside Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Liverpool, however, faces the imminent departure of Salah next month as he fulfills his commitments with Egypt during the AFCON competition. The Reds’ attacking department needs to step up in the absence of the Liverpool legend with no room for excuses.

Gakpo told the Liverpool Echo that he learned a lot from Salah’s professionalism and discipline on and off the pitch. He said:

“I have learned a lot from Mo already. He is a real professional. He is always the first in the gym and the last out. Maybe that sounds a little bit cliched but it’s true. Even if you get in really early, Mo is always there first! You see how he moves and how he does things on the pitch but also outside of the pitch and what he eats too.”

Being an Egypt captain, Salah is one of the many leaders Liverpool currently possesses in the dressing room. The 31-year-old played a key role in Klopp’s original team and he is an experienced member of the new squad.

Gakpo acknowledged the Egyptian’s role in mentoring the younger players, helping them live up to their potential. He added:

“I think Mo is also a person who is trying to also help the younger players to develop and I appreciate that a lot from him. I have spoken to him a lot of times about smart things he does, how it has helped him and maybe how it can help me as well to become a better player.”

Salah has scored 16 goals and provided seven assists from 26 games in all competitions this season. Diogo Jota has nine goals followed by Darwin Nunez at eight and Gakpo at seven in all competitions.

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The rest of the attacking lineup needs to rally together in the absence of Salah and help in Liverpool’s cause. The Egyptian would want to return to the Reds in a position where he can contribute to the title challenge.