30 November 2023 , 20:24
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Mo Salah has a private agreement with Jurgen Klopp to play every Liverpool game, according to former Reds star Michael Owen.
The Egyptian forward has shone for Klopp's side this season both in domestic action and in Europe. It was, however, a surprise to see him start during Thursday evening's Europa League clash with LASK at Anfield - particularly with the Reds on the verge of booking their spot in the next round.
That has led Owen to believe that Salah demands to play in every game possible for Liverpool. Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of the Reds' showdown with LASK, the former Real Madrid forward said: “He must be saying to Jurgen Klopp 'I want to play in these games'. He just churns out the games, doesn't he? He's incredible. A machine."
That is a theory that fellow former Liverpool star Joe Cole agrees with. He added: “He must have some kind of thing with the gaffer where he wants to play every game," to which Owen replied: "You always want to play, there's something wrong with you if you don't, especially in a night game at Anfield.”
Their theory might not be far wrong given the amount of games Salah has played since his arrival from Roma. The 31-year-old has made 324 appearances for the Reds and scored 198 goals.
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He has only missed one match so far this season - the 3-1 victory against Leicester in the Carabao Cup. During his 18 appearances before the game against LASK, Salah had scored 12 goals in 18 outings in all competitions.
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Speaking a few seasons ago, Salah underlined his desire to play as much as he possibly can. “I want to play every minute and every game,” he told beIN Sports. “I want to play 95 minutes, not just 90! But I do respect the manager’s decisions.”
While many will have been expecting him to open the scoring against LASK, it was one of his colleagues who did the honours as Luis Diaz dispatched an impressive header for his first Anfield goal since August. Salah did play a role in the Reds' second goal though as his low cross was tapped home by Cody Gakpo.
Following the showdown with LASK, Salah will hope to be in action once again this weekend. Liverpool play host at Anfield for a Premier League clash with Fulham.