Mohamed Salah has returned to Liverpool to recover from the injury he suffered in the 2-2 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw against Ghana last Thursday.
Liverpool and the Egyptian Football Association confirmed the news on Sunday following Liverpool’s 4-0 win at AFC Bournemouth.
“No matter how long he’s out, I think everyone probably understands that it makes sense for him to rehabilitate with us or with our people,” Klopp told the club’s official website.
In his post-match press conference, Klopp also hinted that if Salah’s returns are fully compatible and Egypt are still in the tournament, the winger could return to AFCON to play for his country.
“I’m not a doctor,” he added. I would say that if Egypt qualifies for the final and is in good shape to reach the final, then yes. Why not?
“It’s clear, it’s the tournament. Côte d’Ivoire, I’m sure it’s a glorious country, but we don’t have a house there and your other people have to take care of the players who play, so let’s see.
With Salah absent for the foreseeable future, Klopp will rely heavily on forwards Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, who will repeat their impressive performances on the south coast to keep Liverpool’s name load alive.
“In the scenario where we find ourselves without Mo, for example, we have to find a way.
“We have players who can play [on] the right wing, and everyone can play [on] the right wing, but what’s the most productive position?And how is the rest organized? Darwin can clearly play [on] the right wing. left wing, he’s done it before.
“So, we had to make the resolution to put Darwin in his position and put Lucho [Luis Diaz] in his position and ask Diogo to do the homework there. Diogo is, like I said, everybody can play [on] the right wing, and he’s done that before, but at the most sensitive of that, he’s a smart player. “
Young Conor Bradley earned praise for his first Premier League performance against the Cherries, replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
“Really smart,” he added. Very impressive. I can say exactly the same thing: a wonderful guy, a hard worker and a smart footballer. He’s a defender but he can also attack. “
Bradley’s long-term risk caught the attention of Klopp, who insisted the full-back was on the scoreboard.
“He could’ve scored, probably should’ve scored a header. I forgot that. No, he should’ve scored in that situation.
“But anyway it was a very smart match and for the first one, yes, you rarely have to do it because it’s just the first, but no, it shouldn’t, it’s a smart start. “