Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Liverpool avoided suffering any further injuries in their Merseyside derby victory over Everton – and explained what he loves most about match-winner Mohamed Salah.
Andy Robertson joined the club’s injury list in midweek after dislocating his shoulder on international duty, with it since being confirmed that he is set for a three-month lay-off. Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara remain sidelined following long-term injury, while Cody Gakpo wasn’t risked against the Blues despite returning to team training in midweek following a knee injury.
Liverpool’s victory over Everton saw them temporarily move top of the table and return to winning ways in the Premier League after a controversial defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and 2-2 draw at Brighton before the international break. And Klopp was delighted by the victory before already turning his attention to Thursday’s Europa League clash with Toulouse.
“I like to respond on things but you need to have a reason to respond,” said the Reds boss. “You should be able to remember the thing you have to respond to. And two weeks since Brighton, players were everywhere in the world. That makes no sense.
“I am not happy to be back on track or whatever, I’m happy we won the game. Yeah, 20 points, that is what we wanted and that is what we have now. That’s absolutely great.
“Now Thursday, a different competition, super important as well. Another home game. Fantastic and from there we go. That is the situation. Where the boys are coming from, I am really happy with the performance.
“I liked it and I think, I didn’t hear anything different, we came through without any kind of niggles. Super important so all good.”
Meanwhile, Klopp was also full of praise for Salah after he netted his 200th career league goal with a brace against Everton. While he conceded the Egyptian was not at his best in the derby, the German has no doubt that the forward will always step up and deliver in front of goal for his side.
“What I love most about Mo is that I think Mo Salah played for us an incredible amount of fantastic games,” he said. “Today it was not his best game, but being then that clinical with the penalty and the situation it was in, that is probably his biggest quality.
“You need someone who brings the ball over the line and he was that again. I couldn’t respect that fact more. That’s absolutely outstanding.
“The numbers are crazy. He will never stop, he will never stop. That’s his nature and that’s really cool for us.”
