Gerrard tells Salah to go and embarrass his Liverpool record

Steven Gerrard wants Mohamed Salah to go on and “embarrass” his Champions League goalscoring record for Liverpool.

Salah’s goal in the 5-0 mauling of Atalanta on Tuesday night moved him level with Gerrard’s total of 21 goals for Liverpool in European football’s elite competition.

And there was no thoughts of self preservation from Rangers boss Gerrard, who told The Herald: “Records are there to be broken, of course they are. I was very proud to see Mo Salah equal my goalscoring record for Liverpool in Europe, it was only a matter of time.

“I honestly think he’ll go on and embarrass my record and I hope that he does. That kind of thing is always there for strikers.”

Salah’s reaction was just as appreciative, labelling the former Reds’ skipper as a “legend”.

Salah told the club’s website: “Of course I’m very happy to be the highest one. Steven Gerrard is a legend for the club. It’s something I’m very proud of.

“But as I’ve said before, the most important thing is the team. So I’m happy to score goals to help the team to win games, that’s the most important thing.”

Meanwhile, Gerrard takes his Scottish Premiership leaders to Portugal to face Benfica on Thursday with his own prolific striker Alfredo Morelos looking to overhaul Ally McCoist’s record.

McCoist’s record of goals in European competitions also stands at 21.

Gerrard added: “Mo Salah and Alfredo Morelos go about their business always being hungry for goals.

 

 

 

“My job for Liverpool was slightly different. There is nothing better than seeing someone going for a record and then smashing it to pieces.

“I hope for Alfredo that in the coming games he can move himself in front of Ally. But as I have said many times, that does mean that all of a sudden he should be held in the same breath as McCoist, we have to be respectful over what’s gone before and recognise how successful Ally was.”


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Klopp booked in Bergamo

Jota Klopp TEAMtalk

Meanwhile, Klopp was booked in Bergamo during the 5-0 win over Atalanta after reacting to a challenge from Georginio Wijnaldum.

Atalanta wing-back Johan Mojica went down a easily following a challenge from the Dutch star  and Klopp was not happy.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the German shouted from the touchline: “Are you serious!? I broke my nose five times, it was not one time a foul!”

Klopp’s outburst earned him a yellow card from referee Ovidiu Hategan.

READ MORE: Red Letter: Form and goal variety must guide Klopp ahead of crunch Man City clash