Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explains Mo Salah decision against Man City
Jurgen Klopp has revealed it was neither his or Mohamed Salah's decision to name the winger on the bench for Liverpool's crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester City.
Salah, 31, came off the bench on his return to the Liverpool squad against Sparta Prague on Thursday and was fancied by many to start against City at Anfield. However, Klopp instead decided to name Salah among the substitutes, with Harvey Elliott continuing on the right-wing.
Explaining why Salah was not named in the starting XI against City, Klopp told Sky Sports: We didn’t even think about him starting the game. There are things in life you can learn from, and the last time Mo came back a bit early and was unlucky that he got a little setback.
"But we spoke about that with Mo as well. It was not his idea, or my idea to start him today. It will be an intense game and we can bring him on which is super cool, but no it was not a big decision."
Salah has not started a Premier League match since Liverpool's 4-2 win over Newcastle on the opening day of 2024. The former Chelsea and Roma forward will be hoping to make an impact off the bench, having already agreed to not be part of the Egypt squad in the upcoming international break.
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Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate has missed out on selection after limping off during the 5-1 thrashing of Sparta in the Europa League. Jarell Quansah will start in his place alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez on the left and right hand side of defence.
With Alisson still out, Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal after impressing in recent weeks. Dominik Szoboszlai has come into midfield alongside Wataru Endo and Alexis MacAllister, while Elliott, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz make up a dynamic front-three.
Mohamed Salah has not started a Premier League game since January 1 (PA)Heading into Sunday's game at Anfield, Liverpool sit second, one point behind leaders Arsenal after the Gunners stretched their Premier League winning run to eight matches. City are third, one point adrift of the Reds and a victory for either side will seem them move to the summit.
Speaking on the importance of the match, Klopp said: "Big game. City games [are] big games always. Were always. Will probably always be. Title-race decider? I don’t know who brought that up – I think it’s really early.
"If you go through all the different possible scenarios, then I don’t think after whatever result anybody should open the bottles of champagne. Nothing happened then. But it’s three points. It’s an incredibly strong opponent.
"We don’t hide that we want to win that game, but knowing how difficult it is. But that’s it pretty much. It’s a big game, I understand that 100 per cent, and we are really excited about the fact that we are part of it."
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