LEICESTER
MOHAMED SALAH is scoring goals with moves that even Jurgen Klopp has never seen from him before.
It may be a sign that the Liverpool star is becoming even better, which will be a frightening thought for Premier League defenders.
During the summer there were eyebrows raised when Liverpool paid £36million for a player who had flopped at Chelsea but he now he looks like a snip in the post-Neymar days of nine-figure-sum transfers.
His double at Anfield to help the Reds come from behind to beat Leicester took his tally to 23 this season, matching Kop legend Roger Hunt’s record from the 1961-62 season for goals before New Year’s Day.
But it was his second goal against the Foxes that caught the eye of his manager Klopp as he outmuscled Harry Maguire before slotting into the bottom corner.
When asked about Salah’s scoring record, Klopp said: “It is remarkable, and the goals themselves are remarkable.
“I’d like to show you the scouting footage we had from the games we saw. The second goal tonight… a goal like this was not involved. That shows what confidence does. He is so physically strong. It’s just good that we have him.”
Salah could have had at least four against Leicester because there were missed chances after Jamie Vardy had fired the visitors in front in just the third minute.
Most notably there was an opportunity he shot wide after a move involving Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. But Klopp is not concerned by those moments of wastefulness.
“That is how a good moment feels,” said Klopp. “Strikers in a good moment there is another chance. When he passed Maguire in the box, that situation is made for him and he shot into the stand.
“He’s not happy but his desire to score goals is at the highest level. He is angry at me when I take him off after 65 minutes or so. That’s the mentality you need.”
Salah found the net in 52nd minute after a cute backheel by Mane before James Milner provided the assist for the winner with 14 minutes to go.
Klopp is expected to make a number of changes for today’s clash with Burnley just 48 hours after the win over the Foxes, with Simon Mignolet set to return in goal. The £75m arrival of Virgil van Dijk, who watched from the stands, has only bolstered Klopp’s squad, which has a number of big names such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missing out while Adam Lallana has barely played since his return from injury.
“We are professionals,” said Klopp. “My job is not to keep them all happy. I can’t do that every day. But I can as often as they let me do it.
“They are buying into it. Nobody told me anything different. If you want to be part of a really good football club you need to respect there are a lot of other really good players.”
Klopp allowed his players to spend New Year’s Eve at home and they will meet this morning