IS MO FIT AND R TO FACE THE BE HE’S BUZZING
After longest lay-off of his Liverpool career Salah will be let off the leash at Brentford today
BRENTFORD v LIVERPOOL
Premier League: KO 12.30pm
BY DAVID ANDERSON JURGEN KLOPP says Mohamed Salah is “on fire” as he prepares to unleash him on Brentford today.
Salah is back for Liverpool after missing four weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered with Egypt at the AFCON.
Klopp says Salah, who bagged 18 goals and eight assists before he signed off for the Reds on New Year’s Day, is raring to go after training all week.
“I’m over the moon that Mo is training and he looks really sharp,” said the Liverpool boss.
“Having him available is a massive boost. He’s on fire. He wants to get started immediately so let’s see.”
The latest lay-off has been by far the longest in Salah’s career at Anfield. “He missed football a lot,” Klopp said. “It’s probably the longest period he’s been out since he’s been here.
“So it was a really strange situation for him and for us to play without him for that long.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like for a guy who’s always available and then for once you’re not available and everybody’s crying that you should be available.”
Despite his importance to Liverpool, the Mersey men have an impressive record when their Egyptian forward is on AFCON duty. Of the eight games they’ve played without him this time around, Liverpool have won six and drawn one. Of the six games he missed in the last AFCON two years ago, Liverpool won five and drew one.
Of the 14 Premier League goals he has scored for Klopp’s side this season, no fewer than five have come via penalties
But while Salah’s return is the good news for Liverpool; the bad news is that keeper Alisson will sit out today’s lunchtime clash with Brentford after suffering a hamstring injury in training.
Alisson missed last weekend’s win over Burnley after being hit with a flu bug the day before.
Now he’s out for today’s clash and will need to be assessed to determine the extent of the hamstring injury.
Caoimhin Kelleher will deputise in goal, as he did in the 3-1 victory over the Clarets last weekend. The Irish keeper is Klopp’s trusted No.2 and starts regularly in Carabao Cup games.
Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Alisson return for Liverpool, who will be captained again by Virgil van Dijk (left), but Klopp rejected claims he brought back Trent Alexander-arnold too quickly after he injury in back ag
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