14 August 2023 , 12:00
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The last thing Jurgen Klopp needed just one game into the new season is any further headaches - particularly surrounding his star player.
Liverpool went into their opening day clash at Chelsea knowing their opponents had outmuscled them in the race to sign Moises Caicedo in a British record transfer, leaving Klopp still seeking a new midfielder. But despite earning a hard-fought draw at Stamford Bridge, it was Mohamed Salah who stole the headlines as he threw a petulant strop after being substituted with the game tightly poised at 1-1.
Roy Keane was typically scathing of Salah's conduct, telling him he should "just sit down and shut up" in his post-match analysis. But Reds boss Klopp was measured in his response, saying he understood Salah's reaction and it was "absolutely okay".
However, there's no denying the incident brought some unnecessary attention on Liverpool as they look to put last season's nightmare campaign behind them. With Salah, 31, now one of the club's new leadership group - and with transfer rumours refusing to go away - should he have known better?
Mirror Football reporters debate how Klopp should handle his talisman's outburst and whether he is still the most important man in Liverpool's squad.
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John Cross
Mo Salah is still one of the biggest stars in the Premier League - and that is why his strops always make back page headlines.
Jurgen Klopp brushed it off afterwards by insisting that he has yet to meet a player happy at being substituted.
But where the press box is situated at Stamford Bridge, I was sat so close to where it happened, saw Salah tear off his tie-ups and throw them down like a petulant child… and it still looks bad.
It’s bad because it’s a team game. The game was on a knife-edge and Salah had run out of steam a bit and it was an obvious substitution. It’s disrespectful to his team-mates and makes it all about him.
A furious Mohamed Salah storms past Jurgen Klopp after being substituted (Getty Images)Klopp is brilliant at handling players, he’s a genius man manager. But I also can’t believe that secretly he’ll be spewing… I bet he says something privately and that’s the best way to handle it (though not for us journalists!)
Is Salah still the player he was? Well, when Bukayo Saka scores that wonder goal at Arsenal, the TNT Sport pundits had a discussion over whether the Arsenal player is the best right winger in the Premier League.
The name offered up in the debate against him? Mo Salah. Personally, I’d go Saka but maybe that’s because of his youth and potential. But for here and now, Salah is still incredible.
Simon Bird
In the often ultra-emotionally controlled modern game, it’s a refreshing change to see Mo Salah showing his frustration at being subbed.
Usually there’s a buttoning up of real feelings in deference to the team ethic when a player is hooked, but really you know what they are feeling inside, especially if they’ve not delivered their best in that game.
Preservation of unity and diplomacy with the manager usually means players keep a straight face. But fair enough on Salah for showing he cared, that he wanted more. Obviously you can’t do it every week, but it can lead to any issues coming to a head and being aired.
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Anthony Gordon did a similar moody thing with Eddie Howe at the end of last season… and he’s not looked back since with his form soaring.
I saw Craig Bellamy do it once too at Newcastle, Graeme Souness recalling that being subbed during a game at Charlton: “He looked up towards me and called me an “effing p****” as he came off.” That relationship didn't end well.
But Salah’s actions, although petulant, connect with everyone who’s played. Have a poor game, get hauled off, and yes, you are in a dark mood.
Ben Husband
Salah was clearly annoyed as he took his place on the Liverpool benchJurgen Klopp was right to play it down, but it doesn't change the fact that with Liverpool chasing a winner against Chelsea he opted to take his talisman off the pitch.
There are plenty of caveats - none more so than early season rustiness - but the fact remains that Klopp felt he had a better chance to win the game with Salah no longer involved in it.
It wasn't a great look for Salah though, who was only recently appointed to the club's senior leadership group. It doesn't warrant a punishment, but perhaps a reminder of his responsibilities within an evolving squad still looking for guidance.
As for Salah no longer being Liverpool's big fish? For me, he is still the Reds' best attacking player and will almost certainly end the season as their top scorer. Next summer could be a different question, but for now he remains the heartbeat of this side.
Nathan Ridley
Some say football is all about timing and that's perhaps what Jurgen Klopp needs to remind himself of when he next chats to Mohamed Salah. Right now, Liverpool don't need any more negativity adding to what's been a summer of uncertainty at Anfield.
Maybe if things were running smoothly on Merseyside then Klopp could use Salah's unwarranted strop after being substituted for a literal kid to affirm his authority at the club, but giving Salah a rocket could seriously backfire and further the worrying mood around Anfield. The Egyptian, despite what his agent says, could be mulling over a move to Saudi Arabia given the Reds' added options in attack which allude to his eventual departure.
Salah is still a world-class player and will be crucial for Liverpool this season, but this might be the year when we see his right-wing position become unstable. Klopp needs him to be a leading figure on and off the pitch, so risking a fallout by going hard on the 31-year-old likely isn't the best course of action.
After all the German admitted post-match that he understood Salah's behaviour, so don't expect a leathering. He and Klopp need to stick together in this period of change.
Tom Victor
Jurgen Klopp was right in thinking something needed to change against Chelsea, with Mohamed Salah’s disallowed goal appearing to jolt Liverpool back from a position of dominance. And the several windows spent strengthening the front-line were - it can be argued - designed to make it easy to withdraw last season’s top scorer without losing too much impetus.
There was arguably no dramatic shift one way or another after Salah was replaced by Harvey Elliott. And that means Salah’s reaction, rather than the wisdom of the decision itself, becomes the story.
It’s hard to see how that kind of visible frustration helps, though, and the distraction of an unhappy star is the last thing a manager wants while the transfer window remains open - even if Salah’s agent insists he is going nowhere. Stillm for now it makes sense for any dressing down (if that’s what Klopp decides is needed) to happen in private.
Salah is still clearly important to Liverpool, but he won’t be the main man forever. Roberto Firmino appeared content to take on a less key role towards the end of his time at Anfield and, while Salah’s form last season suggests he’s still a nailed-on starter for the biggest games, we’re left wondering who benefits from how he left the field on Sunday.
Tom Blow
Salah had every right to throw a strop, but Klopp had every right to take him off.
We can't be too critical of players when they react to being hooked. Sometimes emotions boil over... and at least it shows Salah cares. He would've wanted to win the game, especially against his former club.
Klopp may have a quick word with Salah - perhaps reminding him to keep his cool - but I'd be staggered if he punishes the Egyptian. These things happen in the heat of the moment.
Hopefully, this will all be forgotten about ahead of Liverpool's game against Bournemouth on Saturday and Salah enjoys another prolific Premier League campaign.
Alan Smith
Much ado about nothing. Jurgen Klopp was bang on the money when he said afterwards that a goalscorer who is happy to be substituted in a close game should be of far greater concern.
This is not the first time Mo Salah has thrown a strop after being substituted. Sure, the gradual ripping off of his wrist strap was a touch performative but this is exactly what you would expect from one of the league’s finest players on a day when not all is going to plan for him.
Was Klopp right to make the change? It came at a point in the game where Chelsea were growing in stature and Liverpool’s attacking influence was waning. There was nothing more to it beyond that. And Salah will still be one of the first names on the teamsheet on Saturday against Bournemouth.
Darren Wells
Jurgen Klopp responded perfectly to nip the situation in the bud before it was blown out of proportion.
But he must surely be slightly disappointed by Salah's behaviour on the first day of the season when his side were chasing a winner. It's rare that Klopp opts to replace his star forward, but his influence on the game had waned and it was hardly surprising that he was hooked.
Salah doesn't have to be happy about the decision, but it was a big moment for youngster Ben Doak and it was disrespectful to him and his team-mates for Salah to react in that manner.
It certainly didn't help matters, and Klopp might consider a quiet word in Salah's ear on the training ground this week. He's still Liverpool's key player and holds even more sway now he's part of the leadership group following some big departures.
But he should prove he deserves that responsibility - by leading by example.