‘He gave color to Liverpool’ – Lijnders pays tribute to Mohamed Salah

Manchester City assistant manager, Pepijn Lijnders, has offered a poignant tribute to Mohamed Salah, hailing the Egyptian’s “insane” impact at Liverpool as the forward’s legendary tenure at Anfield nears its conclusion.

Speaking following City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool on April 4, 2026, Lijnders reflected on the legacy of a player who defined a golden era for the Merseyside club.

Lijnders, who served as Jurgen Klopp’s long-time right-hand man before joining Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at the Etihad in June 2025, emphasized the transformative nature of Salah’s career.

“He gave color to seven, eight years of Liverpool by winning the biggest trophies in style,” Lijnders remarked.

“That was insane. He will get all [the recognition] and it’s nice for all the guys who were part of that team and that generation of players. They all deserve that.”

The tribute comes at a delicate moment for Salah, whose final appearance at the Etihad Stadium was marred by uncharacteristic struggles.

The 33-year-old endured a frustrating afternoon, missing two clear-cut chances early in the match before seeing a 64th-minute penalty saved by James Trafford.

Despite the 4-0 scoreline and Salah’s recent announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Lijnders was quick to look past the individual match to the broader historical significance of Salah’s contributions.

The warm words from the City bench underscore the mutual respect between the two rivals. Guardiola himself echoed his assistant’s sentiments, describing Salah as an “absolute legend” of the Premier League.

For Lijnders, who stood on the touchline in place of the suspended Guardiola during the match, the occasion was a reminder of the “style” Salah brought to the English game.

As Liverpool shifts its focus to a critical Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, Salah remains central to the narrative of a “last dance” under manager Arne Slot.

While his starting spot has come under scrutiny following the City defeat, the endorsement from a former coach like Lijnders highlights why Salah’s presence remains vital to Liverpool’s pursuit of a final trophy in his farewell campaign.