Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp disclosed an unexpected directive following his team’s commanding 6-1 triumph over Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday evening. He confessed to instructing star forward Mohamed Salah to undertake an action he had never previously requested.
Salah, marking his inaugural start for Liverpool since recuperating from an injury sustained during the Africa Cup of Nations, etched his name in history by becoming the first player in the club’s annals to tally 20 or more goals in seven consecutive seasons across all competitions.
Nevertheless, Klopp divulged in the aftermath of the match that he had advised Salah to moderate his defensive responsibilities in the latter half, subsequent to Bobby Clark’s ankle injury depriving the Egyptian of the chance to recuperate during the final 20 minutes.
“Mo is a highly seasoned player,” Klopp elucidated to TNT Sports. “I believe it was the inaugural instance I have instructed any player to ‘simply cease defending’. Such is the circumstance; abstain from advancing in that direction any longer.”
Commanding win
Liverpool exhibited a dominant performance at Anfield, securing a commanding victory largely established in the first leg with a resounding 5-1 triumph. Despite the favorable circumstances, they maintained their intensity, adding six additional goals to their tally in a remarkable display of prowess.
The attacking trio comprising Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Nunez swiftly found the back of the net, supplemented by academy graduate Bobby Clark who marked his inaugural senior career goal. Although Veljko Birmancevic managed to pull one back for the opposing side just before halftime, Liverpool sustained their offensive momentum.
Following the interval, Dominik Szoboszlai extended the lead to five, succeeded shortly thereafter by Cody Gakpo securing his second goal of the match. As the match approached its conclusion with victory assured, Salah, despite adhering to unconventional instructions, continued to exert influence, narrowly missing the opportunity to orchestrate another goal for his teammates.
Klopp remarked on Salah’s contribution, noting his experience and ability to surmount challenges effortlessly, even when deviating from standard tactics.