Klopp grateful for ‘fantastic’ Firmino, Salah

Liverpool leapfrog Tottenham back into third in Premier League

Jurgen Klopp backed Mohammad Salah and Roberto Firmino’s cases for player of the year honours after they each bagged a goal and an assist to ensure an easy 2-0 win for Liverpool at Southampton.

Salah teed up Firmino to open the scoring with his 20th goal of the season after just six minutes, before the Brazilian returned the favour with a stunning backheeled pass for Salah to slot home just before half-time.

Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero furthered their cases to win the golden boot by downing Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes he needs to be more persuasive when asking the club to sign new players, saying that his efforts to convince his board to spend big in the transfer window were “a bit of a disaster”.

Conte led Chelsea to the Premier League title last season, but their failure to replicate last season’s form has led to questions about the size and quality of the squad, with the side in fifth on 50 points, 22 behind leaders Manchester City.

“My task is to try and improve every single player, in every aspect. In terms of their mentality also ... for this, I’m very good,” Conte said.

“But I think I’m a bit of a disaster to convince the club to buy players. I think in this aspect I can improve a lot.” Arsenal and Leicester on Saturday.

But Salah is now just one behind Kane and has one more than the Argentine with 22 Premier League goals in a prolific first season at Anfield. “I respectively really think Aguero and Kane and a few others are really good players as well, but our boys are important for us,” said Klopp.

“I love their skills and attitude, but their work rate is outstanding.

“Both get the profit from our style of play. We play in the areas they like to have the balls, but in this strong league you cannot be third without fantastic players.”

Third spot

Victory saw Liverpool leapfrog Tottenham back into third and close to within two points of Manchester United in second after Jose Mourinho’s men were shocked 1-0 at Newcastle.

However, victory for Chelsea over West Brom on Monday would see second and fifth separated by just four points in the fight for the top four. And with the battle to avoid the drop still including up to 10 teams, Klopp believes their desperation could influence the top end of the table.