Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Klopp says much more to Mo than bare stats
JURGEN KLOPP is convinced Mo Salah is responsible for even more Liverpool goals than his remarkable stats suggest.
Salah (above) made his 150th appearance for the Reds on Wednesday and in that time he has scored 94 goals, with a further 36 assists to his credit.
Yet Klopp passionately believes that the stats do not give the full picture of his importance to Liverpool.
“His numbers are remarkable, they really are,” said the Kop boss. “But if we think about the goals we scored when he made the run or opened the gap, then he’s probably been involved in 150 goals.
“What is also absolutely incredible is the fact he has played 150 games for us in three years. That really is a lot.”
Salah went a rare game without a goal or assist in a frustrating night at the Emirates on Wednesday, when Liverpool dominated the match but lost 2-1. After helping to secure the title, it seems his radar in front of goal is just a fraction off.
But Klopp said: “What he has done is really special. I don’t know many other players in world football with his figures.”
The German said it was a Mo-mentous day for the Merseyside club when they signed former Chelsea winger Salah from Roma for a £37million fee that now looks a steal. “It was a win-win situation when Mo joined us,” he said.
“It was brilliant for us and very good for him because we suit him very well and the way we play helps him.”
MIKEL ARTETA must sell before he can buy this summer as he tries to rebuild his Arsenal squad.
That explains his very pointed post-match comments after beating Liverpool – about not having money to spend this summer and saying the uncertainty was a “big concern”.
It comes on the back of the club facing the prospect of missing out on a Champions League place for a fourth year running.
And if they miss out on the Europa League, that would cost £30million in lost revenue.
So the Gunners are facing up to the prospect of Arteta having to generate any transfer cash through sales.
He can put any savings into new contracts, but no fresh money is expected to be available.
The Arsenal boss knew he was signing up to a big rebuilding job when he took over last December, but the club’s financial position has been made