Jurgen Klopp ‘understands’ Mohamed Salah’s angry strop after being substituted against Chelsea
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he ‘understands’ Mohamed Salah’s angry strop at being substituted in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Klopp took off Salah in the 77th minute and the Egyptian was furious with the decision, angrily chucking off the tape from around his hand as he was replaced by Harvey Elliott.
Salah produced the assist for Liverpool’s only goal of the game in the first half, marking his 12th goal involvement in seven appearances on the first matchday of a Premier League season.
The 31-year-old also saw a goal narrowly ruled out by VAR in the opening 45 minutes after he was deemed to be just offside.
Klopp: Salah’s reaction was absolutely okay
Speaking about Salah’s tantrum after being taken off, Klopp told Sky Sports: ‘I can understand because if Mo scored it would have been a new record for goals scored in the opening game but I didn’t think about that.
‘We needed stability and we needed fresh legs. It was super intense for everybody. That’s all I can say about it, his reaction was absolutely okay.
‘When I sub a player and he is jumping in to my arms at 1-1 and he is a striker who thinks he will score, I would be really surprised so that’s absolutely fine.’
Upson: Salah does not look happy
Former defender Matt Upson watched the incident unfold on commentary duties for BBC Radio 5 Live and added: ‘Mo Salah does not look happy.
’15 minutes left in the game, a game of this magnitude away to Chelsea, and he’s being subbed off. He is just not used to that is he Salah?’
Liverpool look to pick up their first win of the season
Liverpool will now look to pick up their first win of the Premier League season when they host AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Reds have started their campaign with two draws, having also been held by newly-promoted Leeds United on the opening day of the season.
Klopp will be hoping his side can find their form quickly as they look to mount a title challenge this season.