Jurgen Klopp believes Mohamed Salah is now a man at Liverpool, and heralded the club’s current run of form as ‘the Mo Salah period’.

The Egyptian winger scored twice in his side’s 3-0 win over Southampton, taking him to 14 goals in 18 games since his £36.9million summer move from Roma.

Since the 2013/14 campaign, when Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge were amongst the top three goalscorers in the Premier League, no Liverpool player has reached 15 goals in a season.

Salah is one away from that in mid-November, demonstrating the stunning start he’s enjoyed at Anfield.

Though Salah adapted to his new surroundings quickly – scoring on his league debut against Watford, as well as a stunning solo goal against Arsenal – the 25-year-old has emerged as one of the division’s top players so far this season.

Accused of being profligate in front of goal in his first few months, Salah is now top goalscorer in the Premier League, ahead of Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku.

Klopp will be hoping the wide man continues his momentum next weekend against Chelsea – the club who discarded him after just six Premier League starts.

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When asked if Salah had revenge on his mind when returning to England with Liverpool, the Reds coach dismissed the notion.

Instead, he revealed the improvements he’s made since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2015.

“I don’t think it’s like this,” he said. “Maybe it was one reason he came back, but he’s not like ‘now I will show you the real Mo Salah’.

“He’s completely relaxed. For sure he wanted to show a little bit he’s better than that, but everyone knew it already.

“He was a kid when he came to Chelsea, and we have heard a few times that’s quite difficult, and in that time they were really successful. It was quite difficult to come through.

“A little bit less muscle, a little bit less physical, and you fly through the Premier League – not like he’s flying now – but one body check, you understand. With his body shape that’s now different. “He’s a man now, he was a kid at Chelsea, now he’s a man. That’s good.”

Liverpool 3-0 Southampton: Jurgen Klopp press conference

When asked what else has changed since he spent two years in Serie A, with Fiorentina and Roma, before moving to Klopp’s Liverpool, he added: “Physicality. He is a top fit. He’s settled in.

“Even when we lose, this is still a fantastic club. At Melwood, it is easy to feel well and comfortable. This is quite special. I don’t know a lot of English clubs but this is really special here. All the other boys liked him from the first day without him performing already.

“They knew they had a really good player in the squad. And that’s it now.”

Salah has undoubtedly been the star of Liverpool’s campaign so far, starting all but one of their league games, and scoring against Sevilla and Maribor – both home and away – in the Champions League.

And while team-mates Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho – to name three – have not caught the eye as much – Klopp is convinced their time will come.

For now, however, Liverpool are in the midst of the ‘Mo Salah period’.

“If you see Roberto working unbelievably hard, he’s not scoring in the moment,” Klopp added. “Sadio doesn’t score in the moment. But they work and they will have their moments and then we will talk about them. There’s the guys on the bench who will have their moments.

“This is the Mo Salah period – no problem with that, well deserved. But he’s also very important even when he’s not scoring because he stretches the formation.

“The speed of the boys means the last line drops – there can be no other reaction. And then we have the space to play. The speed players aren’t only for counter-attacking. Sometimes that’s not possible. It’s about stretching formation and creating space for the rest.”

Salah’s nine league goals, in just 12 games, sees him overtake Robbie Fowler as the most prolific Liverpool player after a dozen outings.

He has also missed a penalty against Huddersfield, and could have converted a number of other opportunities.

Klopp remains optimistic that his player can continue his goalscoring form – to a degree.

Klopp said: “It was just a moment. Unfortunately for all offensive players this happens. If he continued at this rate he would finish the season on something like 70 goals, which isn’t really likely.

“We have these moments. He could have scored the penalty (against Huddersfield) and he’s missed some big chances, but I realise it’s just a moment. I really understand.

“The first goal, it was unbelievable. We had a good mood, good confidence.

“ But these shots are pretty normal for him, like Phil. Sadio is able to do it. Gini (Wijnaldum) too. And Ox – he’s able to do it, but he hasn’t had the opportunity very often so far.

“At this moment, it is working for him (Salah).”