PRAISE FOR POOL ACE FLY MO!
Klopp’s joy as Salah nears history
AS MO Salah prepares to join an elite list of strikers at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp says it is not about what he has already achieved but what comes next.
And that could be the stuff of legend.
The Liverpool boss describes his forward as a “goal machine”, and for good reason.
If Salah scores at Brentford tonight, it will make him the third fastest to 100 league goals in the club’s glittering history.
It will also put him in the top 10 of all time Liverpool scorers. A remarkable achievement given he’s only been with the Reds for four years.
Yet it is the goals to come as he chases down the nine illustrious names above him that concerns Klopp.
Signing a new contract for five more years could offer the chance to close on Ian Rush’s 346 goals at the top of the list.
“I couldn’t be more positive about the things Mo has achieved already,” said Klopp.
“But obviously we are much more concerned about what he can achieve in the future. He still has a huge amount left to achieve.
“He is in a good moment, good shape, good mood, and that is helpful. He works hard and adapted to some changes in our set- up, the way we play. He enjoys it so that is all good and all positive.
Technical
“His professionalism is absolutely second to none. First in, last out, that’s Mo. On top of that, apart from his technical skill set, he is desperate to score goals and that is helpful as well.”
Only Roger Hunt in 148 games, and Jack Parkinson in 149, got to 100 league goals faster than Salah.
He has 99 in 150 games, and Klopp says he is right up there with the best strikers he’s ever coached.
That is some compliment, given he was responsible for the development of Rober t Lewandowski.
And the Reds boss said: “Mo Salah is absolutely up there with him, there is no doubt about that.
“Mo is a goal machine, definitely... absolutely there with the best I ever saw. He knows that.
“The numbers he has are insane. That is exactly how it is with Lewi.
“Did Mo expect when he arrived that he could achieve these numbers? Maybe yes! Did I expect it? No because you can’t expect it because it would pressure the player.
Work
“But he made massive steps since he arrived here. As for the rest I don’t know. You have to stay fit and everything has to go in the right direction, that’s all true, but I’m obviously blessed to work with such good strikers.”
Klopp will make wholesale changes for the visit to Brentford, but Thiago won’t play, after being ruled out until after the international break with a calf issue.
Trent A lexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Neco Williams are all expected to r eturn to contention.
Klopp made clear his admiration for the newly-promoted London club, who sit ninth in the table.
“The football they play is incredible,” Klopp said.
“The organisation they have is incredible, so Thomas ( Frank) is obviously doing a brilliant job. Brentford is doing a brilliant job.
“How they recruit, how different they are, how they show with less money that it’s really possible to create something special.”