JUR’LL WIN IT ALL WITH A FIT SALAH
FORMER Liverpool keeper Sander Westerveld is tipping the Reds to complete a clean sweep this season – if they can keep Mo Salah healthy.
Westerveld, who helped Gerard Houllier’s Anfield Class of 2001 win an historic cup treble, has admitted that he has now started to believe that Jurgen Klopp’s team are on the verge of something special, after watching Salah star in the 4-2 destruction of Newcastle.
Klopp must now succeed without his talisman after the Egyptian departed for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Westerveld (below) feels the next few weeks will be pivotal in Liverpool’s season – but is backing them in the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup if Salah returns from the Ivory Coast still in good form.
Westerveld said: “Before the Christmas period, I was still not sure if Liverpool really had the side and the form to win the title and the cups. “Before the Newcastle match, I literally said that Liverpool were not ready to be champions again this season. “But having watched them in this blistering form and having witnessed how they had total dominance for 90 minutes against Newcastle, it has impressed me.
“There is not another team which has such a fast change from defence to attack. Their switch and their pace are killing their opponents.
“When you watch the speed of the game every time in the first half, you just know that Liverpool’s opponents get tired in the second half. And that is the moment when they get space.
“Liverpool chase the opposition with 100 percent effort.
“The quality Jurgen Klopp has on the bench will make the biggest difference in the next few months.”
Klopp will be without Salah when Liverpool face title rivals Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup today.
The Egyptian will also miss up to four Premier League games.
Westerveld feels the onus is on Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo to step up.
He added: “Nunez is the striker who needs lots of space.
“Jota and Gakpo are the guys who can do all the work in the 18-yard box. If you give them the ball in small spaces, they are great.”