THERE’S MO ‘I’ IN TEAM
Salah’s success is a group effort, says Reds boss Klopp
MO SALAH was named in the PFA Premier League team of the season yesterday – the first of a number of potential awards for the Liverpool star.
But Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to his goalscoring sensation, acclaiming him as the ultimate team man despite all the attention.
The Reds boss claims he told the rest of his players they could go out naked for their season-defining Champions League showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad – because all eyes would be on Salah.
Yet far from suggesting Liverpool are a one-man team, Klopp believes he was able to make the joke due to the togetherness and spirit of his squad.
That much was evident when Salah, 25, scored the crucial goal that killed off any hope of a City comeback. All 11 players, including keeper Loris Karius, celebrated with no one picked out as a star.
Klopp believes Liverpool’s team ethic is their most powerful weapon... and it is a belief Salah shares.
“It is a really good group and, with Mo, everyone really likes the hype around him, all the boys,” Klopp explained. “When we came out for the Champions League training before Man City, I said, ‘Come on everybody, let’s go out naked because no one will realise – they are just looking at Mo’. No problem. And Mo is so thankful. “Now we go to Rome, I don’t think the hype will be a little bit less. But it is all OK. The boys created the atmosphere in the group. “In a successful team there is always a good atmosphere. Other teams can have very good players but no group.” Images of the celebration following Salah’s brilliant goal at the Etihad flashed around the world, in recognition of a new superstar proving his talent on the biggest stage.
And Klopp added: “There is so much that is positive – we are a team. The boys are all together. We have a big chance here to create something for the future.
“We are still young and full of potential. My impression is that they are all excited about being in this group.”