Klopp Rubbishes Carragher’s ‘Brandt vs. Salah’ Transfer Claims and Tips Ekitiké as Potential Successor to Egyptian’s Goal Record

Jürgen Klopp denies Jamie Carragher's claim he didn't want Mo Salah, while tipping new star Hugo Ekitiké as a potential heir to the Egyptian's scoring records.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 6:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Debunking the Julian Brandt Narrative

In a recent interview, Jürgen Klopp directly addressed a popular anecdote circulated by Jamie Carragher regarding Mohamed Salah’s 2017 arrival at Anfield. Carragher had claimed on the Stick to Football podcast that Klopp initially favored German international Julian Brandt and was only persuaded to sign Salah by the club’s recruitment team. Klopp categorically rejected this framing, clarifying that while Brandt was part of a standard shortlist of "seven or eight" wingers, the decision to sign Salah was met with total conviction. "It’s not that [Brandt] didn’t want it so we took [Salah]," Klopp stated, adding that the staff was "100 per cent convinced" the Egyptian was the correct choice for the club's high-intensity system.

Salah’s Legacy and the 2026 Departure

The discussion comes at a poignant moment for Liverpool supporters, following the official announcement on March 24, 2026, that Mohamed Salah will leave the club on a free transfer at the conclusion of the current season. Currently sitting third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list with 255 goals, Salah’s departure marks the end of a nine-year tenure that included two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. Klopp described Salah’s numbers as "ridiculous" and "unmatched," noting that the forward's relentless output remained a constant even as the team transitioned from his own era into that of current manager Arne Slot.

Ekitiké: The Heir to the 'Ridiculous' Numbers?

When asked if any current player could ever replicate Salah’s scoring rate, Klopp singled out 23-year-old French international Hugo Ekitiké. Since his £70m arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2025, Ekitiké has become a focal point of Arne Slot’s attack. Klopp mused that while breaking Salah’s records would be "difficult," Ekitiké’s technical profile and recent form—including 11 goals in the 2025–26 Premier League season—make him a candidate to watch over the next decade. The former manager’s praise aligns with recent French media reports hailing Ekitiké as a "complete" forward following his recent goal against Brazil on international duty.