Klopp not concerned by Salah’s subdued form
LONDON: Mohamed Salah’s slow start to the season is not causing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to lose any sleep.
The 26-year-old Egyptian star -- who had a disappointing World Cup after entering it with a shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final -- has scored just twice this term.
Klopp’s lack of concern over his form is supported by the 44 goals he scored in all competitions after a similarly slow start in his first season with the club.
“Wow, that’s a crisis,” said Klopp sarcastically at his press conference on the eve of their Premier League clash with Southampton.
“No one remembers that, it is really no problem.”
Klopp, whose side have begun the season in great style and are yet to drop a point after five Premier League matches despite Salah’s lack of goals, admitted the Egyptian’s superb record had raised expectations.
“Of course, of course everyone expects that, that is clear,” he said. “We don’t expect that. We want him to score as often as possible.”
The German, whose side opened their Champions League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 home win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, said Dejan Lovren, who is yet to feature after picking up a hip problem at the World Cup, is getting closer to return to the squad.
“Dejan is close,” said Klopp. “He looks really fit. He did a lactate test last week so fitness-wise he is on a really OK level.”
MENDY SIDELINED
LONDON: Manchester City will be without France full back Benjamin Mendy against Cardiff City on Saturday after manager Pep Guardiola said he has a “bone injury” in his foot.
Mendy missed City’s surprise 2-1 defeat by Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League on Wednesday and was also sidelined for the victory over Fulham last weekend.
“He is injured. I don’t know (how long he’ll be out). He has a little problem in his ankle, his foot,” Guardiola said.
UNITED WEAKENED
MANCHESTER: Manchester United will be missing five players for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Diogo Dalot to be rested, Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrera not fully fit and Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford suspended.