Virgil van Dijk has hit back at Liverpool's critics while lauding Mohamed Salah's efforts for the Reds in what has been a difficult season for Jurgen Klopp's men.
Salah netted his 30th goal of the season in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday to keep their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive.
Salah also leads the way in the way in terms of assists at Anfield this season, having set up 11 goals
With the Reds having three Premier League games left to play, a top four finish remains out of their hands.
Van Dijk believes Salah will get more respect for such consistency when his playing career comes to an end
Van Dijk:
"Statistics show that (he is making history)and we shouldn't forget he's playing as a winger," Van Dijk told reporters. "And that's also quite rare to score so many goals in that position.
"There is so much work that goes in behind the scenes (at the AXA Training Centre), for Mo in this case. But it goes for a lot of players that nobody really sees.
"For him to be fit for 97% of the (Premier League and Champions League) games, that's maybe the most difficult thing along with staying consistent each and every game.
"I don't think there's anything to argue with that (Salah is an all-time great and his constant availability over six years is extraordinary). I don't think it's rare to say that.
"He is doing it consistently, even when we are struggling he has still found a way to be important for the team. Being consistent every three or four days, obviously you can have games where you don't score but you can reach that level, and also stay fit, that's the most difficult thing to do.
"People don't really speak about those kind of things too much, but maybe we should. On top of that, his numbers speak for themselves. In the world we live in nowadays, maybe the respect comes after he has stopped playing.
"But I don't think he cares about that anyway. He just wants to keep doing what he's doing and be important for the club. That's the main thing.
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