Penalty heartache can drive Salah, says Liverpool boss
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hopes both the club and Mohamed Salah can benefit from the Egypt international’s Africa Cup of Nations heartbreak.
However, the Reds boss does not believe it is possible for the 29-year-old, who has scored 148 goals in 229 appearances for the club with whom he has won the Champions League and Premier League, to have a greater determination to succeed.
Salah’s side lost to clubmate Sadio Mane’s Senegal on penalties in Sunday’s final, with the current Premier League top-scorer not even getting the chance to take a spot-kick.
He returned to England the following day and was training with the Liverpool squad on Tuesday as he looks to get straight back into action against Leicester tonight.
“Yes, he is happy to be back but he is disappointed as well, massively so,” said Klopp.
“Losing a final is always really hard – I can sing that song – but losing the way they lost it was especially hard and that is what he felt as well.
“We spoke obviously and we will see. He will deal with that, of course, and I hope today will already be better, but yesterday everyone could see he still has the final in his mind.”
Klopp was asked whether the positive to come out of Salah’s disappointment may be a renewed focus on Liverpool’s current challenge on four fronts.
“Greater determination than Mo already had? I am not sure that is human,” he said.
“Yes, that all helps in the long-term, but I don’t think there is a lot of space for more determination in Mo’s mind.
“He is very determined. Using these kind of things is the job of all of us.
“When you lose a final, which we are obviously the best example for, it is really, really hard, but if you use it for the next big game or next big tournament then it can at least still be helpful, even if it was really hard.
“He will benefit from it, we will benefit from it, but which kind exactly I don’t know.”
While Salah could be thrust straight back into the fray against Leicester at Anfield, Mane’s reintroduction will take longer.
“It’ s such a bigsee the celebrations in Senegal–and we didn’t want to stress anyone there and ask for Sadio back early, so justand come back as early as possible ,” added the manager.