Mo Salah spent last night gathering a host of personal awards. At Anfield, he won Liverpool's Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year before jumping on a plane bound for London to collect his Football Writers' award.
Salah was joined at the awards in London by teammate Rhian Brewster, while Jurgen Klopp elected to stay on Merseyside. Klopp did send his best wishes, however, deciding to write a letter rather than tape a video message.
The letter was read at the awards by journalist Patrick Barclay, and it has been reprinted in full by ESPN.
You can read it in full on their site, but here are a couple of excerpts:
Jurgen Klopp Letter to Mo Salah
On Alex Ferguson...
Before anything else I would like to say on behalf of everyone at Liverpool Football Club how pleased we are to hear that Sir Alex Ferguson is already making a speedy recovery after his recent illness. You don't have to be from this country or Scotland to appreciate his genius or importance to football -- but the extent of the coverage in your publications following the news last weekend proves his status transcends his own profession. It's fantastic news to hear he is already making big strides to a full recovery and at LFC we are delighted about this.
On Salah...
The fact you have voted for him as your "player of the season" reflects that you have witnessed his incredible quality as a footballer. But it's his qualities as a person that should not be overlooked.
I read and hear about him being a wonderful role model for Egypt -- North Africa -- for the wider Arabic world and for Muslims. This of course is true -- but he is a role model FULL STOP. Regardless of race or religion -- country or region of birth. The only "labels" we should put on Mo is what a good person he is and what a fantastic footballer he is. And by the way -- the first part of that is more important in life than the second.
On Rhian Brewster...
Aside from Mo - I have another member of my team with you all this evening - and his presence is - I believe - recognition of the importance of your industry: writing and journalism.
It was away from the football pitch -- and instead in the pages of a UK newspaper -- where Rhian made an even bigger impact on the game we all love and even a significant impact on society.
Aged just 17 at the time -- and at his own behest -- albeit with the support of his family and friends -- plus the support of the incredible academy staff at Liverpool -- he sat and spoke about racism in modern football with the same power, command and composure that he shows when playing.
The newspaper who carried the original story was then supported by other journalists -- and other publications -- many of whom I am sure are in the room tonight -- in making sure Rhian's voice was loud and clear in articulating that racism and discrimination still exists and persists in our game.
That it takes a 17-year-old boy to do this is as frustrating and depressing as it is inspirational and up-lifting. That many of you in the room were so supportive in spreading his message is testimony to journalism in this country.
Read the full letter by Klopp - replete with Brexit gags - on ESPN.
