Jurgen Klopp "surprised" at Mohamed Salah's Ballon d'Or ranking

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he was "surprised" at Mohamed Salah's ranking in the 2021 Ballon d'Or.

The Egypt international collected 121 points to take seventh place in the annual award, finishing behind N'Golo Kante, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Jorginho, Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi.

The Argentine's record-extending seventh triumph was the centre of controversy on the night, and Klopp believes that Salah should have been higher up on the list.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday's Premier League Merseyside derby with Everton, Klopp said of Salah's ranking: "I was surprised with his position, to be honest.

"It's the Ballon d'Or, journalists vote? It's your vote. If you think he should be higher up, you convince your colleagues. If you don't give it to Robert Lewandowski now it's difficult to give him it at all. You can always give it to Messi for his career."

Salah was the only Liverpool representative to make the top 30 this year, and the 29-year-old already has 17 goals and nine assists from 18 games in all tournaments this season.