Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has claimed that the club decided to sign Mohamed Salah from a selection of 20 players during the summer transfer window.
In June, Liverpool paid £34m to sign Salah from Roma - despite the winger's previous poor spell in the Premier League with Chelsea - and the price-tag has been justified with 12 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions.
However, Klopp has insisted that no-one at the club ever had any doubts about the 25-year-old, who has helped the Reds reach fifth place in the standings this season.
The 50-year-old told the club's official website: "We were sure he can help us. Michael Edwards, Dave Fallows and Barry [Hunter], they were really in my ear and were on it: 'Come on, come on, Mo Salah, he's the solution'.
"When you have 20 players on the table, different players, it's difficult to make an early decision, but we all were convinced about it so could make the early decision so we could really get him. He's a fantastic person, a nice lad and a really good football player.
"I didn't think if he can score 12 goals or whatever in 17 games [but] I hope he's not finished now. That would be nice, if we talk after the season about different numbers - and both numbers should be much higher."
Salah's most recent contribution came on Saturday as the Egyptian international netted twice in a 4-1 victory over West Ham United.
Darren Plant
