Liverpool, UK - Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke about the transformation of Mohamed Salah into a more all-rounded player. While acknowledging the young Mo Salah's incredible speed, Klopp emphasised that the player's role has evolved to adapt to Liverpool's attacking strategy.
Versatility and Development
Klopp discussed the earlier phase of Salah's Liverpool career, saying, "The young Mo was a super fast player. From the first day, he had to do different things, he adapted extremely well." In those early days, the creative playmaking duties often fell to Bobby Firmino.
Klopp went on to explain the tactical shift, saying, "You don’t need two players who are deeper because you need players in the box and players to bring the ball over the line." With Darwin Nunez now in the squad, Liverpool enjoys the presence of another speedster, which has necessitated a positional change for Salah.
However, Klopp highlighted Salah's ability to adapt and learn. "He is smart enough to adapt to all these different things. It is a massive development since he arrived, but he was in all phases world-class," Klopp said. This evolution in Salah's role showcases his adaptability and football intelligence.
Age and Performance
Off the pitch, Klopp shared his thoughts on the 31-year-old Salah's demeanour, saying: "Off the pitch, he behaves like a grown-up man, but besides that, he is just still a young player." Klopp further praised Salah's remarkable fitness and longevity, adding: "He’s top fit, if we would really scan him, the majority of the bones are probably 19 or 20 because he keeps himself in such a good shape."
Klopp underlined the importance of understanding the nuances of the game at an early age. "It’s with game understanding, that’s what we try to give young players," the German noted. He commended Salah's improved awareness on the field, saying, "With Mo, that is clear, he understands the spaces much better, he knows how players react to him, and if he cannot score, he can still be a threat for us. That is really super important."
The Everton Game
Finally, Klopp reflected on Salah's performance in the recent Everton game. "The Everton game will not go down in history with performance, but scoring two goals is massive," Klopp acknowledged. He emphasised the importance of Salah's consistent threat, even in games where Liverpool may not be at their best. "In other games playing much better but not scoring, being constantly a threat is as important because that really opens up spaces for all the other boys."
Klopp summed up by stating, "I cannot compare Mo to other 30-odd-year-old players because I don’t think biologically he is." Mo Salah's ability to evolve with the team's tactics, maintain peak physical condition, and improve his football IQ makes him a key asset in Liverpool's quest for success.
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