Jurgen Klopp admits he is thankful he isn’t in a position to have to pick between Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne for the Player of the Season award.
That being said, the German is adamant Liverpool’s top scorer is worthy of the accolade as a reward for his stunning first season at Anfield.
Victory for Salah would be testament to what an astonishing season he has enjoyed given De Bruyne’s influence in City’s unrivalled surge towards the Premier League title.
Both have glossed their individual ingenuity with a matching consistency as key components for their teams.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Klopp said: “I think Mo would deserve it 100 per cent. As his manager, I’d say, ‘come on, prove it by playing at this level for the rest of the season’. That’s how it is.”
“Both players have played an outstanding season with obvious highlights; scoring goals and creating chances – which is what everyone wants to see.”
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“I am happy that I don’t have to make this decision. Yes, Mo would deserve it. But if I said now that Kevin de Bruyne should have no chance I’d be lying.”
Whilst Salah boasts a league-high 29 goals ahead of both Harry Kane’s 24 and Sergio Aguero’s 21, De Bruyne has 15 assists to his name ahead of 11 each for teammates Leroy Sane and David Silva.
The Egyptian’s nine assists serve as a notable edge to compete with his rival’s sheer world class production from all areas of the pitch.
Both will come up against one another on Wednesday night as Liverpool host Manchester City in the first leg of an enthralling all-English Champions League quarter-final.
Two of European football’s most exciting attacking sides have the potential to produce one of the most memorable European ties.