Jurgen Klopp comments on Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah's "special partnership"

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah have a "special partnership", owing it to their "different way of playing".

Both Nunez and Salah have been in excellent form this season, exemplified by their impressive contributions during the November international break.

Salah scored four for Egypt during a 6-0 thrashing of Djibouti in 2026 World Cup qualifying, while Nunez excelled for Uruguay with three goals in matches against Bolivia and world champions Argentina.

It was a continuation of their blistering starts to the new campaign at Anfield, with 29 goal contributions between them for the Reds in all competitions.

The pair have flourished individually but also as a duo under Jurgen Klopp's guidance, with all of Nunez's seven Premier League assists - four of which have come this term - having supplied Salah.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference prior to Liverpool's clash with Manchester City on Saturday, Klopp spoke highly of the blossoming partnership between two of his attacking dynamos.

"You cannot become a Liverpool player if you're not really football smart," said Klopp. "So, that means they [Nunez and Salah] are really football smart.

"What would you do if you are on the ball and you sprint 900mph down the line and then you think who could have the same speed and be in the right position? Probably Mo.

"So, the other players are quick as well, but that's why Darwin and Mo, that's why it's clicking and they are looking for each other and stuff like this. But it's not that they cut out the other boys. It's just a different way of playing."

The German added: "Generally from the beginning, and that's what I said before about Mo supporting the boys, is that Darwin came here - big expectations - and Mo understood the situation probably the best, and saw his potential and wanted to help him.

"That's how, without having the longest conversations become of some language issues, that was for sure the start for a pretty special partnership."

Klopp will need Nunez and Salah's telepathic partnership to shine at the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime, the Reds knowing a surprise victory over Man City would see them leapfrog the champions in the Premier League table.

Nunez has just one goal in four appearances against Pep Guardiola's side, a header in the Community Shield at the beginning of the 2022/23 season.

However, Salah's record against the Cityzens is remarkable. The Egyptian has netted 11 goals and laid on five assists in 19 appearances against them, only having found the net more often against Manchester United.