WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN: SOUTHGATE EXCITED, HAZARD INJURED AND SALAH SET TO PLAY...
MOHAMED Salah has put his record-breaking season at Liverpool down to Jurgen Klopp and the “style of play” implemented at Anfield.
The Egyptian scored a total of 44 goals across all competitions last season, including 32 league goals to set a new record for goals in a 38-game Premier League campaign.
The majority of Salah’s strikes came while he nominally lined up on the right of Liverpool’s front three, and the 25-year-old has insisted that the way Klopp catered to his talents played a key role in his goalscoring feats.
“Our style of play helps. Jurgen Klopp often asks that I be at the heart of play, and remain close to the opponent’s goal,” he said.
“He knows how to get the most from all of his attacking players.
“Just look at the amount of goals we scored in the Premier League and Champions League.
“From day one, he’s considered me a friend. We are close, even though he’s the boss and I’m a player.
“The quality of my team-mates and their desire to help me score has also helped in my success. Plus, I work hard every day with that desire to improve.”
Salah is confident he will be fit enough to take part in Egypt’s World Cup opener against Uruguay in Yekaterinburg on Friday.
The former Chelsea and Roma ace went off with a shoulder problem in the first half of Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in last month’s Champions League final, but the speedy forward expects to play some part in Egypt’s first Group A fixture in Russia.
“Now I’m feeling better,” Salah said.
“I’m hopeful of being able to play in our first game, but this will depend on how I feel when the day comes around.”