Jurgen Klopp makes Mohamed Salah point crystal clear in final Merseyside derby
Mohamed Salah was straight back into the Liverpool starting lineup for Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby.
Salah had been dropped to the bench for the weekend win at Fulham, having scored the only goal in last week’s failed Europa League
Questions have been asked in recent days over Salah’s future and whether the Reds will look to move away from their leading marksman this summer. A mega-money offer from Saudi Arabia is ready whenever the Egyptian king wants it and there have been no shortage of column inches questioning whether the time is right to cash in on the 31-year-old... not to mention whether his powers are on the wane.
But Jurgen Klopp stated after the second leg in Bergamo that he was “not concerned” by Salah’s recent form, with only one goal from open play in his last seven games.
And knowing his side cannot afford to stumble in their pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the table, the German returned to his most tried and trusted against Everton, with Salah back in attack.
Salah arrived at Goodison Park with 24 goals and 12 assists to his name this term, in 39 games in all competitions. As good as Klopp's other options undoubtedly are, none can match his consistency, nor ability to take chances in big games when most needed.
Indeed, on a must-win night for the Reds, Klopp went with what is pretty much his final first-choice XI on Merseyside. That meant pairing Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk at the back, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson at full-back, with a midfield three of Alexis Mac Allister - who has really shone in recent weeks - Dominic Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones.
With Diogo Jota sidelined once again and no Cody Gakpo either, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz completed the attack.
Arne Slot is now in pole position to take over in the Kop hot seat when Klopp departs, but the outgoing German's feelings on his No.11 couldn't be clearer. When Liverpool most need something, he remains the man to whom they turn.
Liverpool Starting XI: Alisson, TAA, Konate, VVD, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Diaz, Nunez, Salah.