"Virgil van Dijk started it" – Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah breaks silence on his clash with Jurgen Klopp last season

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah has opened up on his heated argument with former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp during his club's Premier League trip to West Ham United last season.

Earlier this April, the Reds failed to maintain their Premier League title charge after registering a 2-2 draw at West Ham United. Salah clashed with Klopp after coming off in the second half of the contest, making the headlines as well.

Asked to opine on the incident, the 32-year-old said (h/t The Daily Mail):

"There's going to be a fire today if I speak."

Klopp downplayed the on-pitch altercation later on, telling reporters:

"There's no problem. We are absolutely fine with it. It's a non-story."

However, Salah has now broken his silence on the incident with the legendary Liverpool boss in the 2023-24 season. After the end of the Reds' recent 5-0 league win at West Ham, he told Sky Sports (h/t The Daily Mail):

"It was a funny thing because before the game, the guys in the dressing room they said, 'Remember what happened last year?' Virgil van Dijk started it. We had a laugh about it. It was not a nice moment here last year but I'm glad this one was better."

Liverpool boss Arne Slot hails Mohamed Salah

Earlier on Sunday (December 29), Salah maintained his world-class form after contributing a goal and two assists in a 5-0 league win at West Ham United.

At a post-game press conference, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was asked to opine on the star continuing to break new ground in the Premier League. He replied (h/t liverpoolfc.com):

"Mo and the word extraordinary is something I've heard a lot in the last six months. He truly deserves this and probably for the eight years, but I am involved in the last half-year. I don't think he keeps surprising us because we know what a player he is and we know he is able to do so."

Sharing additional thoughts on the left-footed attacker, Slot continued:

"Apart from that, he works really hard for the team also when the other team has the ball. We can only hope he can keep bringing these performances in, but I would like to add that if he scores there's also a lead-up to him scoring. So, there are also other players who bring him into these positions, but if you bring Mo in these positions, he is extraordinary. Definitely."

So far this campaign, the former Chelsea man has scored 20 goals and provided 17 assists in just 26 appearances across competitions for Liverpool.