The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Klopp playing down Salah’s importance
Liverpool demolish Bournemouth, while Manchester United also secure three points
Jurgen Klopp insists top-scorer Mohamed Salah is just one of many important Liverpool players after the forward made it 20 goals for the season in the 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth.
Egypt international Salah sealed the three points on the south coast, curling home the third just before the interval.
The summer arrival from Roma leads the Premier League scoring charts with 14 goals, adding to his six strikes in the Champions League.
Yet, despite his red-hot form, manager Klopp was reluctant to single out the 25-year-old for praise.
“As a manager you don’t like too much to talk always about Mo; he knows how much I respect him, I like him,” Klopp said.
Liverpool produced a dominant display at the Vitality Stadium following disappointing draws with Everton and West Brom to climb to fourth in the table.
They were in complete control by the break thanks to strikes from Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren and Salah before Roberto Firminio rounded off the scoring in the second half.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho vowed Manchester United will fight for the title until the final game after their 2-1 win at West Brom.
Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard netted first-half goals to give United a lacklustre victory at the Hawthorns.
Gareth Barry stabbed in with 13 minutes left but Albion remain winless in the league in 16 games, with boss Alan Pardew yet to taste victory after four matches in charge.
United closed the gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City to 11 points after securing back-to-back wins.
Mourinho confirmed that Antonio Valencia suffered a hamstring injury,
City beat Tottenham 4-1 on Saturday to record a 16th straight league win.
The opening goal was a horror show for Spurs, with Ilkay Gundogan left unmarked to head in Leroy Sane’s corner.
Kevin De Bruyne drilled in a powerful second in the 70th minute and City could afford for Gabriel Jesus to miss a penalty before Raheem Sterling netted a brace.
A late strike from Christian Eriksen was no consolation for Spurs.
Arsenal and Chelsea were 1-0 winners over Newcastle and Southampton, respectively.