Wake-up call for Klopp
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp believes even the European champions have plenty of room for improvement after surviving a huge Champions League scare to beat Salzburg 4-3 after blowing a three-goal lead.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring against his former club before Andy Robertson and Salah put the holders in command inside the first 36 minutes before Salzburg bared their teeth.
The Austrian champions’ teenage striking sensation Erling Braut Haaland was only fit enough for a place on the bench, but they still packed a punch going forward and were rewarded when Hwang Hee-Chan pulled a goal back just before half-time.
Takumi Minamino and Haaland, just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, then brought Salzburg level on the hour mark.
However, Salah had the final word as the Egyptian smashed home the winner 21 minutes from time.
“We opened the door and they were running through, chasing through the door,” said Klopp.
Liverpool were under pressure to make fortress Anfield count after losing 2-0 to Napoli on matchday one.
Normal service looked set to be resumed as the holders roared into a 3-0 lead thanks to some slick attacking football.
The Reds are well aware of Salzburg’s pedigree of developing fine young players, and it was one of their former alumni that opened the scoring as Mane exchanged passes with Roberto Firmino before slotting home.
Another fine team move made it 2-0 as one fullback, Trent Alexander Arnold, crossed for another in Robertson to convert just his second ever Liverpool goal.
Salah was then on hand to finish from close range after Cican Stankovic could only parry Firmino’s header back to him.
Salzburg have now scored 51 goals in their first 12 games this season and were given hope as Liverpool eased off towards the end of the first half.
The visitors’ fightback began in earnest when Hwang left Virgil van Dijk on the floor as the South Korean turned inside and fired into the far corner.
Klopp was growing visibly frustrated on the touchline as his side failed to cope with Salzburg’s pressing and incisive passing through midfield and even he could not find a solution at halftime as Salzburg came out flying.
The second Salzburg goal was coming and finally arrived when Minamino volleyed in from Hwang’s cross.
Haaland was then introduced and should have scored when he fired into the side-netting, but moments later the 19-year-old tapped in at the far post.
Salah was quickest to react inside the area and smashed past the onrushing Stankovic to secure a vital three points. –