KLOPP: I HAD MO CHOICE
KLOPP DEFENDS STRONG SELECTION AS VAR LEAVES LIVERPOOL MANAGER BEMUSED
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp defended playing superstar Mohamed Salah for the whole of a Champions League dead rubber last night, as the brilliant Egyptian became the club’s record goalscorer in the competition.
In yet another game blighted by the video assistant referee, Liverpool drew 1-1 at FC Midtjylland, with Salah scoring inside a minute. His 22nd European Cup goal saw him surpass Steven Gerrard.
Salah is arguably Liverpool’s most important player, and the Reds go to Fulham on Sunday. But he played the whole game in Denmark, while Fabinho was on the pitch for the first half.
Klopp said: ‘You can make changes but you need a few key positions. (It’s) how the game developed. Mo looked fine.
‘(It’s) one record after another. I didn’t know he could break ( the Champions League scoring) record tonight. He should be proud of that. An exceptional player. He helps the team massively.’
Klopp fielded Liverpool’s youngest starting XI for a Champions League game, featuring 19-year-old academy products Rhys Williams and Leighton Clarkson.
There was also a second-half debut for French teenager Billy Koumetio who, at 18 years and 25 days, became Liverpool’s youngest player ever in this tournament.
Salah struck after just 55 seconds, Liverpool’s fastest ever Champions League goal, as he ran clear and poked home.
Caoimhin Kelleher blocked Awer Mabil’s drive, while home goalkeeper Jesper Hansen stopped efforts from Diogo Jota and Naby Keita. Midtjylland controversially equalised on the hour mark. Anders Dreyer was brought down by Kelleher but referee Francois Letexier spotted an offside flag and blew for a free-kick.
However, VAR overturned the offside decision and the official, after checking a monitor, then awarded a penalty from which Alexander Scholz scored. And VAR played a key role in the closing stages too, denying a Scholz goal for the hosts due to offside and a Sadio Mane strike for Liverpool because of handball.
The three key VAR moments contributed to eight minutes of added time.
Klopp said: ‘It just took too long. The decisions were right but it was so difficult to make, it took three or four minutes and it was cold for the boys. I used to be one of the people who said “yes, VAR is a good idea”. I’m really not sure if I would say that again now, to be honest.’