Salah braced for rough treatment from his former mates but Klopp says he’ll ‘strike back’ with GOALS EX-RATED
JURGEN KLOPP has warned Mo Salah he will be targeted by his old club tonight. But the Liverpool boss has urged the Egypt striker to fight fire with firepower. Klopp, who expects the new PFA Player Of The Year to be roughed up by Roma in the Champions League semi-final first leg, said: “Italian defenders are famous for not having friendly games so I think Mo will know early on that they are not his team-mates any more. But
he can strike back in a football way. He knows that. I don’t need to tell him.”
Salah scored 34 goals in two seasons at Roma and became a firm favourite in the Italian capital. But Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman says his friendship with Salah will be put on hold tonight.
The Dutchman says he has tried to phone the Egyptian since the draw was made but Salah has ignored his calls. “Salah is definitely the most dangerous player right now and we won’t be friends on the pitch,” he said. “I’ve tried to call him lately but he doesn’t pick up the phone. I will write to him after the semi-final!
“We know how dangerous he can be. He missed a lot of chances when he was with us, especially one on one, but not any more.”
Despite the threat of Liverpool’s quicksilver attack, Roma coach Eusebio di Francesco insisted his side will not defend at Anfield tonight.
“We do not want to take a backward step. You want my team to drop deep? That is not the idea, we will not do that,” he said.
Roma skipper Daniele De Rossi made a touching gesture ahead of the semifinal when he laid a wreath at the memorial for the 96 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough.