Fernando Torres is proud of Mohamed Salah becoming ‘one of the best players of the last 10 years’ and Liverpool’s greatest ever.

Torres and Salah were Chelsea colleagues when Salah debuted in English football in 2014 and have stayed in touch.

Torres, like most people, is amazed by Salah’s progress since joining Liverpool in 2017.

The Egyptian is seventh on the Reds’ all-time scoring record with 207 goals in 337 appearances and boasts a games-to-goals ratio that surpasses many of their great forwards, including Torres.

“We were teammates at Chelsea and I’m really, really happy for him,” Torres told Liverpoolfc.com. I talk to him often and am glad he breaks my records!

He was young when he moved to England and didn’t get enough minutes. He had to prove himself in Italy and find a special club for a special player.

“You can see his solo work. I consider him one of the best players of the recent decade. I usually say he’s my favorite player and one of the world’s best in the last decade.

You can see what Liverpool won and know the club is battling for everything, and I’m sure he’s one of the key reasons. I’m pleased of him because I know how hard it was for him to come to England, but he demonstrated he was a wonderful player who just needed Liverpool to believe him and show what he can do.

I was thrilled when he signed a new Liverpool contract in 2022. We’ll see him as one of Liverpool’s top players. He is, but he has much to do.”

Torres briefly played with a youthful Diogo Jota during his second stay at Atletico Madrid in 2016.

“I remember when Diogo came,” Torres remarked. “He was young and arrived from Pacos de Ferreira as one of these youthful prospects who joined Atletico’s first squad in pre-season and are expected to do well.

He went for FC Porto after the preseason, but you could sense something exceptional in him. I’m glad for his progress in England.

Move to Liverpool was a major step for him. You can see his playstyle now. I remember the brief time we played together and am very happy of what he did after that because it’s hard to come to Atletico and leave on loan and show yourself elsewhere.

Last weekend, Torres scored in front of the Kop as Liverpool FC Legends defeated Ajax Legends 4-2 in the seventh annual charity game to raise money for LFC Foundation.

The 40-year-old, who scored 81 goals in 142 Reds appearances between 2007 and 2011, is taking up coaching.

Atletico’s U19 manager Torres aims to emulate Rafael Benitez and Diego Simeone.

Naturally, he admires Klopp’s work.

He preferred the English style of transition game, press, and quick, sharp play. “That’s why I love Jürgen since he was in Dortmund.

I was thrilled when I saw him sign for Liverpool because Klopp has a relationship with the fans, both in Mainz and Dortmund, and Liverpool is even more special. Players, coaches, and fans have a great connection. I think he’s special after nine seasons.

I follow Pep Lijnders and met him several times in Madrid. His book shows many of their regular activities, which inspires me. I hope to meet them, talk, and see what they’re doing.

“You know how a Jürgen Klopp team will play. This heavy-metal football style is my favorite. How to train that is challenging. Hope I find out someday.”

Torres is particularly pleased to see so many young Liverpool players flourish this season, some of whom he met earlier.

He said, “I remember playing against Liverpool in the [UEFA] Youth League three years ago. I played against [Jarell] Quansah, [Bobby] Clark, [Conor] Bradley, and many more first-team players in that squad.

“Seeing young players in the first team and doing their jobs is great. Very wonderful for the coaches to participate.”

“I was one of those players who said I will never be a coach! Now look, I’m trying!

“I enjoy and learn a lot in the Atletico Madrid academy. In my third season with the U19s, I want to help young players because I was there once.

“I’m proud that Pablo Barrios is in Atletico’s first team after two years with us. You feel involved in player development. Very great.

My goal is to find my own way while constantly aiming high. I’ve had great managers like Rafael Benitez, Luis Aragones in Spain, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Simeone. I learned a lot from them and now do things my way.”