Klopp explains controversial Salah substitution in Chelsea defeat

The Premier League’s top goalscorer and his agent weren’t impressed by Klopp’s decision to substitute him against Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp substituted Mohamed Salah during Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday to avoid any potential risk of injury.

The Reds boss replaced a visibly unhappy Salah in the 62nd-minute with Diogo Jota during the home loss.

Salah even shook his head as he walked off the pitch and his agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, tweeted a single punctuation mark on the exact moment of the substitution. That sole remark created a huge buzz on social media.

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— Ramy Abbas Issa (@RamyCol) March 4, 2021

“When the boy looks disappointed [to be subbed] that is not a problem,” said Klopp as quoted by Liverpool Echo.

“The reason for the sub was – and I could have changed others as well, that is true – but he looked in that moment like he was feeling the intensity really. I didn’t want to risk him. That is all. That is the situation.

“It is really rare, I have known Mo long enough now and he usually looks surprisingly fresh until the end and I thought that was a sign [to bring him off].

“In our situation I didn’t want to risk it and that is it.”

Mason Mount’s first-half goal was enough to condemn Liverpool to a record five consecutive defeats at Anfield. The Reds, who have scored only once in those games, have slipped to seventh-place in the Premier League table.

Klopp will need Salah and co to firing on all cylinders on Sunday for the club’s next league match against Fulham at home.