Jurgen Klopp has explained his decision to name Mohamed Salah as a substitute for Liverpool’s Premier League encounter with Manchester City.

Mohamed Salah IMAGO / Propaganda Photo

Salah made a return to the Liverpool squad against Sparta Prague on Thursday, coming off the bench.

Many anticipated his inclusion in the starting lineup against City at Anfield. Nevertheless, Klopp opted to designate Salah as a substitute, keeping Harvey Elliott in the right-wing position.

Explaining why Salah was not named in the starting XI against City, Klopp told Sky Sports: We didn’t even think about him starting the game.

“There are things in life you can learn from, and the last time Mo came back a bit early and was unlucky that he got a little setback.

“But we spoke about that with Mo as well. It was not his idea, or my idea to start him today.

“It will be an intense game and we can bring him on which is super cool, but no it was not a big decision.”

Salah has not been in the starting lineup for a Premier League match since Liverpool’s 4-2 victory over Newcastle on the opening day of 2024.

The 31-year-old is aiming to make a significant impact coming off the bench. He has committed to being absent from the Egypt squad during the upcoming international break.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Van Dijk, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Elliott, Quansah, Bradley.

Subs: Adrian, Salah, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Robertson, Clark, McConnell, Nallo, Koumas.

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