Harvey Elliott has opened up on his relationship with Mohamed Salah, labelling his Liverpool teammate 'an icon' for the guidance he gives to the club's younger players.
Elliott and Salah have enjoyed a close bond since the former's arrival at Anfield in 2019, with the Egyptian regularly offering advice and guidance, both on and off the field.
Salah, as part of the Reds' internal leadership group, has spoken previously about his desire to set an example for his teammates, and in an interview with the official LFC matchday programme, Elliott explained just how important the 31-year-old's support has been during his time on Merseyside.
"I think to the very day I retire I'll always be learning different things from different players and Mo is a great example of that," he said.
"Especially because we kind of played the same position when I first joined the club. I signed as a right winger, [but] knowing that it would take a miracle to take his spot!
"I had to adapt my game but there were things I could take from that position into the midfield where I play now: goalscoring threat, creativity and stuff like that.
"With Mo, he's always trying not only to push myself but the other youngsters as well and, in all fairness, he doesn't really need to do it.
"He's an icon on and off the pitch and it would be easy to just focus on himself and keep making sure he's breaking records and so on, but he takes time out of his day to check in on us, to make sure we know that if we need anything, he's always there to give us pointers.
"For instance, although he was at the AFCON with Egypt, he messaged me after the Arsenal game in the last round of the FA Cup saying, 'How did you find it?' and so on. They are the things he doesn't have to do but he's just a great human being and always wants the best for everyone.
"To have him in the team and to see what he's accomplished is just unbelievable and it's a pleasure to share the pitch with him."
Having enjoyed a positive campaign so far, Elliott is closing in on 100 senior games for Liverpool. Were he to feature against Burnley in the Premier League at Anfield this weekend, he would move to 98.
And having grown up a Reds supporter, he admits he still pinches himself on occasion to make sure he isn't dreaming.
"Yes, definitely," he said. "For myself it was a bit harder as a kid being so far away from the city but you always have these dreams [and] every now and then I'd be lucky enough to travel up to Anfield to watch a game with my dad.
"It was just a lovely kind of feeling to be able to travel up to the game with him. When you see the stadium from afar and then you're getting closer and closer to it and then actually being in the stadium, watching the players and listening to the fans… it's every kid's dream for the team they support.
"I'm just loving every moment of it and long may it continue."
Elliott continued: "Being in the fans' position and supporting the team, you always want to give it that extra shot.
"You want to run until you can't run anymore and not only do it for the fans but do it for yourself. You always want to leave the pitch with your head held high having given 100 per cent each and every time you get on the field you always want to try to impact the game as a player, to help your team out, especially if things aren't working out.
"We just need to keep fighting together as a team and, as I say, give that extra push when you step onto the pitch."