Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Klopp sure Salah will make his class count
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp hailed the “pure quality” of Mohamed Salah as the forward prepares to face his favoured opposition Manchester United.
The German also praised the way his team coped without their leading scorer for the two months he was absent first at the Africa Cup of Nations and then with a hamstring problem sustained at the tournament.
Salah scored and had three assists in his first 90 minutes since New Year’s Day in the 6-1 Europa League demolition of Sparta Prague on Thursday but tomorrow’s FA Cup trip to Old Trafford will offer a better barometer of whether he is back to his sharpest.
The Egypt international will be relishing the game as he has scored more goals for Liverpool against United – a club-record 12 in 13 appearances – than any other team.
“Super good, you saw it last night. How many goals did he set up first half? He scored and was involved in all the others pretty much. Exceptional,” said Klopp.
“I would have loved to take him off but it was not possible because of Bobby’s situation (midfielder Bobby Clark had a minor problem) and he could manage that pretty well – even then he set up another goal which was offside.
“Mo is pure quality. Ask him what he likes most about Man United but the more we talk about it the less likely it will happen again. Exceptional guy, world-class player and how we dealt without him was unbelievable. The boys did well – but it is better to have him around and on the pitch than just in the dressing room.”
United are the only team in the last 55 matches to prevent Liverpool scoring, although since that goalless draw at Anfield in December, they are on a run of 20 games with a goal.
Klopp said that day was the beginning of phase two of their season, even if ultra-defensive opponents frustrated them.
“That game I first saw that was really us in the next gear,” said Klopp. “The result didn’t show that and I have no clue whether it will be the same game – I don’t expect it, obviously it’s a home game for them.
“But a lot of aspects in our game that day were really good and these aspects we try to bring on the pitch again.”
“Liverpool are chasing an unprecedented quadruple and yesterday’s Europa League draw, a quarter-final versus Atalanta which could be followed by a semi-final against Benfica or Marseille, has made them even stronger favourites for that competition.
“Tricky but Atalanta we played there (in 2020) – not that I watched them since then 500 times, but still the same manager, pretty sure a similar structure so it means uncomfortable to play against, very well organised,” he said.
“It is a quarter-final – I didn’t expect any easy opponent.”