Why Salah was Klopp’s greatest general on the field

Why Salah was Klopp’s greatest general on the field
Juergen Klopp, right, celebrates with Mohamed Salah after his last match as Liverpool manager against the Wolverhampton Wanderers and his team won 2-0 on May 19, 2024. (Reuters)
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Updated 21 May 2024
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Why Salah was Klopp’s greatest general on the field

Why Salah was Klopp’s greatest general on the field
  • No player contributed to the legendary German coach’s success at Liverpool more than the talismanic Egyptian

LIVERPOOL: When Napoleon Bonaparte was briefed on the virtues of a new general, he would apparently retort with “but is he lucky?”

Expertise was one thing, but the French emperor also understood the importance of happenstance.

In his nine years at Liverpool, which came to an emotional end on Sunday at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp has been blessed with many lucky generals.

The German’s reign is bookmarked, time and again, by getting the right man at the right time, and all played their part in a historic era for the club.

In the summer of 2016, Klopp’s debut at Anfield, Sadio Mane became the first of his new generals. Not far behind was Gini Wijnaldum and Andrew Robertson. All would go on to become pillars of his great Liverpool team.

Virgil van Dijk, in the winter of 2018, transformed Liverpool’s previously porous defense into one of the best in Europe, and even the world.

The Brazilian duo of Alisson Becker and Fabinho, in the summer of 2018, became the final pieces of the jigsaw. Klopp’s iconic team was complete.

But the greatest general of them all had arrived a year earlier. It is often forgotten now, considering what has transpired since, that when Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool from Roma in the summer of 2017, he was not considered by many pundits to be a “world class” player, whatever that means.

But from the moment he walked into Anfield, his fortunes and Klopp’s would become inextricably entwined.

At full time on Sunday following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Wolves, as Klopp gave Salah one of his trademark hugs, both must have realized how lucky they were to have found each other seven years earlier.

Salah, it is no exaggeration to say, was more instrumental in bringing success to Liverpool than any other player during Klopp’s time at Anfield.

And those who know best, knew that too.

Three players have been accorded the honorary title of “King” by the Kop: Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and the boy from Nagrig.

Thousands of words have been written in recent weeks about Klopp’s reign, and since it would take a book to cover the records that Salah breaks, seemingly on a weekly basis, there is little point in reproducing the facts and figures of their time together.

Viscerally, it was all about the moments, many that flirted with footballing utopia, and a few that touched the depths of despair.

Salah scored on his debut in a 3-3 Premier League draw at Watford in the summer of 2017, and has not stopped since.

The “Egyptian King” quickly established a stunning forward partnership with Mane and Roberto Firmino — the “front three,” as they would become known.

There was the breathtaking “Road Runner” goal against Arsenal on Salah’s second Anfield start; the FIFA Puskas Award-winning curler against Everton in a December snowstorm; and an even better version of it against Tottenham in February.

In particular, Salah would develop a taste for torturing the preeminent team of the age, Pep Guardiola’s magnificent Manchester City.

In his first season alone, there was a memorable chipped goal in an era-launching 4-3 Premier League win at Anfield, and a tie-settling second at the Etihad as Liverpool beat City 2-1 (5-1 on aggregate) in the Champions League quarterfinals. He had scored in the first leg too.

One performance, however, continues to stand above all others.

On April 24, 2018, Salah delivered arguably his finest match for Liverpool in a 5-2 win against Roma at Anfield in the Champions League semifinal first leg.

Against future colleague Alisson in the opposition goal, Salah scored twice, assisted twice, and for 90 minutes tore the Italian team to shreds. He was simply unplayable. It was a display that Lionel Messi would have struggled to better.

The Champions League final a few weeks later would bring the lowest of Salah’s time at Liverpool as a shoulder injury saw him leave the pitch in tears after only 31 minutes. Without their talisman, Liverpool lost 3-1.

At the time, Klopp was turning a player that had a remarkable availability record — lucky one could say — and work ethic into one of the world’s best players, technically and tactically. Salah’s pressing of the opposition and positional sense when out of possession perfectly suited Klopp’s demands and complemented the forward’s unquenchable thirst for goals.

Salah’s second season saw player and team hit new highs as they accumulated a mind-boggling 97 points in the Premier League and, incredibly, still fell one short of Manchester City.

Salah still scored one of the great Anfield goals against Chelsea in a 2-0 win as they chased down the relentless leaders.

Even on the very rare occasion he missed a match, the world watched his every move. As Liverpool, almost incredulously, overturned a three-goal deficit against Barcelona to reach the 2019 Champions League final, the injured Salah sat on the bench in a T-shirt that said: “Never Give Up.” Sales skyrocketed.

A Champions League triumph in Madrid would prove more than a consolation for the Reds, Salah scoring the opener in a 2-0 win over Tottenham to give Liverpool their sixth title, a record for an English team, naturally.

Klopp had broken his duck at Liverpool and finally become a European champion after near misses with Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool in the previous six years.

Salah, meanwhile, was rewriting the record books with his goals, and the 2019/2020 season finally brought the Premier League that Liverpool fans craved.

A traumatized fan base had previously refused to sing about the elusive league title until one January evening at Anfield when Salah scored a goosebump-inducing stoppage time goal to seal a 2-0 over Manchester United at Anfield.

“We’re gonna win the league,” Anfield bellowed in celebration. After 30 years of disappointments and false dawns, they finally believed, and the Premier League would be secured in record time, though three matches after resumption of play following the COVID-19 lockdown.

The four years since have not brought a league or Champions League title, but other trophies (two League Cups and an FA Cup) followed, seemingly always at the expense of Chelsea.

On the pitch, as Klopp’s great team splintered, no one maintained their level of consistency and brilliance quite like Salah.

Goals of all types continued to flow including one solo effort, against Manchester City at Anfield, prompting many to call Salah the best player in the world during the 2021/2022 season.

While others suffered long-term injuries, lost form or left the club (especially Mane and Firmino), Salah remained as reliable as ever — always available, always scoring, always creating.

That he is a Liverpool all-time great is no longer up for debate.

This is why, when he had an uncharacteristic and public argument with Klopp on the touchline at West Ham recently, few fans took sides. The coach may be untouchable, but Salah had earned the right to be right up there with him. And that is the greatest compliment of all, for both men.

Ultimately, it all ended in hugs, smiles and a few tears on Sunday.

Klopp and Salah were lucky to have each other. And we were lucky to have them.


Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways

Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways
Updated 31 January 2025
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Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways

Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways
  • Blue Waves’ victory over Al-Okhdood comes after surprise defeat at Al-Qadsiah
  • Brazilian Kaio Cesar put hosts ahead on debut in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Al-Hilal returned to winning ways on Friday, defeating Al-Okhdood 4-0 to go three points clear of Al-Ittihad at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
The victory, albeit against the relegation-threatened visitors, showed a return to form after the club’s surprise defeat to Al-Qadsiah earlier in the week.
Al-Hilal may have seen the departure of megastar Neymar but thanks to fellow Brazilian Kaio Cesar, who was making his debut in Saudi Arabia, the result was never in doubt. The 20-year-old winger fired home from close range in the fourth minute after a shot-cum-cross by Moteb Al-Harbi.


It was the perfect start but the Blue Waves had to wait until the end of the first half to establish their dominance.
Two minutes before the break, Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic curled a free kick worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo into the top corner, and two minutes into added time Marcos Leonardo headed home at the far post following a headed cross from Saudi Arabian international Hassan Tambakti.
The Brazilian forward scored a second from close range just 10 minutes after the restart to seal the win.
While the victory put Al-Hilal back on top of the table, Al-Ittihad will join them on points if they beat Al-Kholood at home on Saturday.
Later on Friday Ettifaq recorded a much-needed 3-1 win over Al-Shabab, just a day after the departure of head coach Steven Gerrard.
Gini Wijnaldum put the hosts ahead after 35 minutes and despite a quick response from Abderazzak Hamdallah goals from Joao Costa and a second for the Dutchman deep into injury time put the game beyond reach.


Postecoglou hopes for end to ‘vicious cycle’ of Tottenham injuries

Postecoglou hopes for end to ‘vicious cycle’ of Tottenham injuries
Updated 31 January 2025
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Postecoglou hopes for end to ‘vicious cycle’ of Tottenham injuries

Postecoglou hopes for end to ‘vicious cycle’ of Tottenham injuries
  • Postecoglou is under severe pressure after a miserable run of seven Premier League games without a win
  • Postecoglou is battling a lengthy injury list that threatens to stop the north Londoners ending their malaise

LONDON: Ange Postecoglou admits Tottenham’s “vicious cycle” of injuries has hampered his attempt to get the troubled club back on track.
Postecoglou is under severe pressure after a miserable run of seven Premier League games without a win, with six defeats in that dismal spell also triggering fan protests against chairman Daniel Levy.
Ahead of Sunday’s game at Brentford, Postecoglou’s side are languishing in 15th place, just eight points above the relegation zone.
The Australian earned a little breathing space on Thursday when a 3-0 win against Elfsborg booked Tottenham’s place in the Europa League last 16.
But Postecoglou is battling a lengthy injury list that threatens to stop the north Londoners ending their malaise.
Postecoglou was already without Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario, Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner and James Maddison.
Romania defender Radu Dragusin became the latest to be bitten by the injury bug when he was forced off against Elfsborg, although center-back Micky van de Ven played 45 minutes on his return from a hamstring problem.
“We’ve had to deal with a real extreme situation, which unfortunately once we got hit, it is then very hard to rectify on the run,” Postecoglou told reporters on Friday.
“We obviously got some significant injuries early on, which hampered our progress, and then we had to rely on a small group of players to get us through and that then burdened them.
“It has been this vicious cycle. The volume of games that clubs are playing, we’ve been in an extreme situation but a lot of clubs are facing similarities in Europe.”
It is a vital week for Tottenham, who travel to Liverpool holding a 1-0 lead in the second leg of the League Cup semifinals on Thursday before heading to Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on February 9.
Injuries forced Postecoglou to turn to youth academy graduates Dane Scarlett, Mikey Moore and Damola Ajayi, who all scored their first goals for the club against Elfsborg.
Now the former Celtic boss is desperate to avoid any further fitness setbacks as he bids to end a Tottenham trophy drought stretching back to 2008.
“Every time I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s usually been an oncoming train,” he said.
“We seem to be losing players as we get them back. We don’t want to lose anyone else, but again, best laid plans.
“You can’t plan for these things. We’ve got a big week coming up, starting Sunday.
“We’re going to have to do it with this core group of players, so we’ve just got to be careful about how we go about it.”


Mourinho and Fenerbahce to face Anderlecht in Europa League playoff round

Mourinho and Fenerbahce to face Anderlecht in Europa League playoff round
Updated 31 January 2025
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Mourinho and Fenerbahce to face Anderlecht in Europa League playoff round

Mourinho and Fenerbahce to face Anderlecht in Europa League playoff round
  • Fenerbahce placed 24th in the new 36-standings format and will host the first leg on Feb. 13
  • Mourinho was hired to end Fenerbahce’s decade-long wait for a Turkish league title

NYON: Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce were rewarded for squeezing into the Europa League knockout stage by being drawn Friday to face Anderlecht in a two-leg playoff.
Fenerbahce placed 24th in the new 36-standings format — the last qualification place, and on a tiebreaker of goal difference — and will host the first leg on Feb. 13.
The return game in Brussels is one week later.
Mourinho was hired to end Fenerbahce’s decade-long wait for a Turkish league title, though trails Istanbul rival Galatasaray by six points. Galatasaray also were in Friday’s draw and will face AZ Alkmaar, with the first game in the Netherlands.
Two of Mourinho’s former clubs, Porto and Roma were paired, and Ajax were drawn to face Union Saint-Gilloise which will host the first leg in Belgium.
The playoff round draw involved teams which placed from ninth to 24th over the new eight-game schedule that ended Thursday.
The round of 16 pairings are made on Feb. 21 also involving the top-eight teams in the league phase.
They include two more of Mourinho’s former clubs, Manchester United and Tottenham, plus Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiakos and Rangers.


Real Madrid to play Manchester City in standout clash of Champions League knockout playoffs

Real Madrid to play Manchester City in standout clash of Champions League knockout playoffs
Updated 31 January 2025
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Real Madrid to play Manchester City in standout clash of Champions League knockout playoffs

Real Madrid to play Manchester City in standout clash of Champions League knockout playoffs
  • Manchester City, the 2023 champion, will host the first leg on Feb. 11 or 12 and the return game in Madrid is on Feb. 18 or 19

NYON, Switzerland: Real Madrid will play Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoffs round in a standout clash of the past two title winners after the draw was made Friday.
Man City, the 2023 champion, will host the first leg on Feb. 11 or 12 and the return game in Madrid is on Feb. 18 or 19. Madrid won a record-extending 15th European title last season.
The winner over two legs advances to the round of 16 to face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen, who placed in the top eight of the new 36-team league standings that ended Wednesday.
Teams that finished from Nos. 9 to 24 in the standings dropped into the two-leg knockout playoffs. Madrid placed 11th and Man City barely qualified in 22nd, after rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win game.


Saudi Arabia’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034

Saudi Arabia’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034
Updated 31 January 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034

Saudi Arabia’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034
  • The minister discussed Saudi Arabia’s goal to transform its domestic football league into one of the world’s top five competitions
  • Al-Faisal also briefly discussed the probability of seeing Liverpool superstar forward Mohamed Salah playing in SPL

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal promised to deliver “the best World Cup experience” in 2034.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on Thursday, the minister discussed Saudi Arabia’s goal to transform its domestic football league into one of the world’s top five competitions.
In July, 2024, a Saudi delegation led by the minister officially submitted the Kingdom’s bid book to FIFA to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 at a ceremony hosted in Paris, France.
Al-Faisal said the Kingdom has been preparing for the FIFA bid for years now.
“We’ve been working tirelessly for six years, with monthly meetings with His Royal Highness [Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman] about details and what could work. Everything that we’re doing is part of the 2030 vision, whether we host the World Cup or not” he said.
During Thursday’s interview Al- Faisal also briefly discussed the probability of seeing Liverpool superstar forward Mohamed Salah playing in the Saudi Pro League.


“Definitely, because if he ticks all the right boxes, even for us, we’d love to have him,” the sports minister said. “We feel like we are one with the Egyptians, from our culture and our history and so on,” he added.
“It’d be a privilege to see Mo Salah here. He’s the most high-profile Muslim player in the world … He hasn’t signed a new contract yet. Up to the clubs now,” Prince Abdulaziz also told Morgan.
Meanwhile on Friday, AFP reported that Liverpool’s coach Arne Slot urged Salah to sign a new contract with Liverpool, advising the Egypt star against a potential lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Salah has been in sensational form this season but is out of contract in June, with speculation persisting that the Saudi Pro League could be a possible destination for the Egyptian superstar.
Liverpool manager Slot reiterated at his pre-match press conference on Friday that the club want to keep hold of their talismanic striker, who joined the club in 2017.
“We want him to extend, of course, as well,” he said. “That is clear, but I’m not surprised that Saudi wants him, I’m also not surprised if other countries want him as well.