Liverpool’s addition of Mohamed Salah will make Jurgen Klopp’s side one of the most dynamic attacking teams in the Premier League.

But according to one of the most successful Egyptian imports into English football, the £36 million signing will need a refresher course on defensive duties to thrive at Anfield.

Former Spurs and Middlesbrough striker Mido enjoyed an audience with one of Klopp’s trusted deputies Pep Lijnders during the summer where it was explained what will be expected from the Roma signing.

“Salah will have to learn quickly how Liverpool defends under Klopp,” said Mido.

“I was in Wales doing my coaching badges and Pep, one of the assistants of Klopp, was talking about how he likes to defend. How he wants to get the ball back as quick as he can.

“That is something Salah has to learn because with Spalletti and Roma they did not press high or counter press. They did not try to get the ball off the opposition, they dropped back and kept their shape.

Mido knows the Premier League well credit: Getty images

“It is about a quick reaction. He has to learn that. With Liverpool it is a different class.”

Mido, who spent five years in England between 2005-10, says Klopp has signed a different player to the one who failed at Chelsea three years ago. The signs in pre-season have been promising, with Salah’s pace and goalscoring threat prominent.

“He is the big man now,” said Mido.

“He made the right choice by signing for Liverpool. He didn’t have the best of times at Chelsea, but I always thought that came too early in his career. He didn’t have enough time to prove himself. It wasn’t easy and a lot of very good players played in his position. So he went to Italy, Fiorentina and Roma, and he proved that he is a different class when he is fit and on top form and I think that he is exactly what Liverpool needed. They needed pace, they needed someone who can do something different and I think he is the perfect player for Liverpool.

“I heard some people, ‘why Salah?’ but I think he is the perfect signing for Klopp. "He has been very clever in bringing him over.

View more!

“He will play on the right of a front three, but you have to understand he is much more mature than when he was at Chelsea. When he was at Chelsea, he could only play by the line. Now playing at Roma under Spalletti, he learned how to tuck in and play behind the striker. Even if he starts on the outside, he knows how to come inside and he is one of the best players I have ever seen to run into space at the right time and break the offside line. He is a great at running behind defenders. Great. He has so much pace. I don’t think there is a faster player than Salah in the Premier League. He is so quick. I think Salah is quicker than Mane. Mane is a great player but I think Salah is much quicker than him. He did so well in Roma and his numbers were good.”

Mido says Salah’s signing will also swell Liverpool’s support in Africa, where allegiances often switch when players are transferred.

“Everyone is following Liverpool now. Liverpool is one of the biggest names in the Middle East,” he said.

“The older generation followed Liverpool anyway because they were great in the 70s and 80s and now Liverpool is massive again because of Salah. He is a big star in Egypt.”

After spells at Wigan, West Ham and even Barnsley, Mido became a coach three years ago and is currently managing Wadi Degla in Egypt.

Mido says Salah is the fastest player in the Premier League credit: Getty images

Hazem Emam, one of Egypt’s legendary ex-players, now a member of the country’s football federation, says Mido is one of the finest young coaches to emerge from the region – it’s a contrast to the reputation Mido often had as a player.

“He has changed!” said Emam, laughing.

“Now he is the best coach in Egypt.”

Mido accepts the observation. “Salah is a good professional – unlike me!” he said. “He is a top professional, he trains well, he takes good care of his body. That is what you have to do now in modern football.”

Emam echoes Mido’s view on Salah’s maturity since his Chelsea days.

“In England you will see a different player,” said Emam.

“The three years he spent in Italy have helped him a lot and he is much better now. I saw the (friendly) match against Wigan and it already looked like he had been with Liverpool for five years, not his first match.

“He is not like the player who was starting with Mourinho at Chelsea, he is totally different. The mentality of the guy, he will play more than at Chelsea and so he will be better than at Chelsea.”