Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is optimistic about starting Mohamed Salah in Sunday’s (Mar 17) key FA Cup fixture against arch-rivals Manchester United. Salah, who is yet to start a Premier League game since the New Year’s Day has been struggling with a hamstring issue which he suffered on international duty while playing for Egypt. With eyes away from the title race this weekend, Klopp is optimistic as he commented in the pre-match Europa League press conference where they are set to face Sparta Prague in the second leg on Thursday evening.
Will Mohamed Salah play against Man United?
“I am not sure he is ready for 90 minutes or that we should do 90 minutes but he is ready to start,” Klopp said. “He would’ve been ready to start the last game but you don’t know how long it makes sense. It is always a problem when players come back. I can’t remember a game where I thought, ‘Ah, Mo Salah cannot play, no problem’ – it has never happened so it is not cool not to have him.
“But there was a game last Sunday (against City) and there are 10 more Premier League games and hopefully a lot more cup and European games, so they are as important. Mo is completely fine with that. Would he have loved to play a bit longer? Probably, yes. It wouldn’t have been impossible playing longer,” Klopp added.
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The Reds have seen Salah’s inclusion limited and saw him only start on the bench during the key fixture against Manchester City over the weekend. During the Egyptian’s absence, Liverpool also lost to Arsenal in the Premier League. However, Klopp is aware of the fact that there are still big games to come in the rest of the season and needs to manage Salah’s time.
Liverpool’s run of fixtures
The Reds are to face Aston Villa (away), Spurs (home) and Manchester United (away in the Premier League) as they bid for the title. Coupled that with potential fixtures against Chelsea or Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal and final (if Liverpool progress).
The tough run of fixtures could also see them face the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma and AC Milan in the Europa League, so managing Salah’s minutes will be a key factor for the Reds as they prepare for the tough final phase of the season.
While Thursday’s fixture in the Europa League could be too early for Salah to start, Sunday should be the day when the Liverpool faithful see their talisman start as they continue their quadruple chase.
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