'Zidane was one of my heroes'

It seems strange that a player would announce his love for an opposing manager ahead of a cup final, but that is exactly what the Egyptian has done.

"[Francesco] Totti, Brazilian Ronaldo, [Zinédine] Zidane," he replied when asked about his childhood heroes. "My thinking was to choose three players who were completely different to everyone else in the way that they play."

Now, at the age of 25, it is Salah himself that is shining in Europe and will face off against his former idol for the biggest prize in European club football. "Hard work has been the key," he insisted. "The most important thing is to maintain that level, to [keep] doing what I've done next season as well. Now we have a final, so we need to think only about the final. I believed [that I was capable of this form]. I was at Roma for two years, had two great seasons there and everyone told me to stay, but it was in my mind to come and be successful in England."

Despite being in fine form himself, Salah is under no illusions that his side face a huge taks in deposing the reining European champions.

"They are the team that has won this trophy more than anyone else," he pointed out. "They've won the Champions League three times in the past four years, so they have a lot of experience. They've won it before, but it's one game, not two, so we just need to focus and not think about anything in the past. When you get to the game it's just 11 against 11."

Finally, Salah hailed manager Jurgen Klopp, calling him a "friend" to the entire squad.

"Of course you do the things that he wants, but he gives you the freedom to play your own style of football," he explained. "He always gives players the confidence to do what they want to do in games. It helps you to perform better. That's his strength. It's not just for me, it's for everyone. Everyone has confidence and that's why we score so many goals. He's not just my friend, he's a friend to everyone in the team.