This evening, Liverpool easily defeated Sparta Prague to go to the Europa League quarterfinals.
With a 5-1 lead from the first leg, the Reds went into the game with little cause for concern. After 14 minutes of play tonight, the tie was officially over. After just 25 minutes of play, Liverpool had a 4-0 lead.
Sparta managed to even the score, but the Reds surged ahead with two more goals to win 11-2 overall. Even so, Jurgen Klopp tried to get some big players on the field despite the game’s ease. By the time the unexpected Virgil van Dijk entered the game, the score was already 6-1.
Due to an injury to Bobby Clark, Jurgen Klopp was forced to make his last-minute substitution. The manager had to reconsider when it appeared that Mohamed Salah was going to be substituted. Salah had to play the entire ninety minutes since there was nothing else to change. However, Klopp stated in his post-match interview with TNT Sports that the Egyptian was in perfect health.
“Mo recovered already in the second half,” the manager stated before acknowledging that he had given his No. 11 some unusual instructions. “Mo is a very skilled player. I told him to just stop defending. I believe this was the first time I ever told any player this.” Run away from that direction now.
Then, he almost set up a fantastic goal, but Cody Gakpo was offside at that precise moment. Yes, he crossed the line with ease because of his extensive experience.
Salah has no issues with his fitness.
Before the match, Klopp had stated that Salah wasn’t yet ready to play for 90 minutes after his injury comeback.
But even if Mo made it through the entire game tonight, it was by no means a test match.
Salah is currently among the Liverpool team’s most seasoned players, as Jurgen notes. He is fully aware of how to take care of his body.
The 31-year-old will have been able to go through the motions this evening without having to go all out from minute fifteen on. Therefore, in many respects, Salah’s return to fitness and improvement in match sharpness came at the ideal time.
Hopefully, this indicates that the Egyptian King won’t experience any more setbacks this season. In 2023–2024, he has already missed a lot more football than he is accustomed to.
Liverpool will need Salah back and playing well if they hope to continue their implausible quadruple push. Tonight’s goal and assist ought to have given him motivation again.
You’d think that Mo would start this weekend versus United after starting on the bench against Manchester City on Sunday.
He enjoys a nice run at Old Trafford, for sure. In his last four trips to the home of Liverpool’s fiercest rivals, Salah has scored. On Sunday, another would be very appreciated. This time, though, Mo might have to work a little bit the opposite way too.
