Klopp stunned the football world by taking Salah off midway
Falling to their fifth successive defeat at Anfield on Thursday, Liverpool now find themselves staring at a daunting task. The 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea leaves Liverpool four points adrift of the top 4 with the proposition of not making the Champions League extremely likely at the moment.
While the club’s performance was largely listless and lacklustre on the day, Klopp’s management came under severe questioning. The Liverpool manager made some questionable decisions during the side’s defeat with Salah’s substitution emerging as a massive talking point.
Liverpool’s top scorer was taken away at the 62nd minute, a move which was berated by many. The substitution left Liverpool’s boisterous supporters flummoxed with them pointing fingers at Klopp for taking out Salah despite Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino being horrid on the night.
Salah’s Agent Ramy Hits Out At Klopp
Joining the hefty chorus against Klopp’s decision was Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa. Ramy tweeted a simple full point upon the substitution, a message which was a clear swipe at Klopp’s move.
Salah himself was seen infuriated with the decision with the Liverpool seeing nodding his head vociferously on the bench upon being substituted. The substitution clearly cost Liverpool with the side toothless in the second half of the affair as it failed to erase the deficit it found itself in.
The defeat was Liverpool’s fourth in its last five Premier League encounters, one which leaves the side in a real quandary at the moment. Meanwhile, for Tuchel, the triumph was a real statement of intent with the new Chelsea manager proving his merit with the result.
Chelsea now find themselves undefeated in 10 matches under Tuchel, results which have seen the club go from ninth to fourth in the league in the matter of only a month. The side has scored on 11 occasions in that timeframe whilst conceding on the scanty two occasions.
“I’m super happy. If I’m honest I still have regrets about the draw against Southampton because I was not happy we dropped two points and the way we dropped them. But in general, I’m happy. From the first day I’ve felt part of the club and it’s a pleasure to coach the team. I can feel the energy and attitude that is needed. They are prepared to sacrifice for each other,” Tuchel said after the win.
“I have never judged games because I am happy for every win because I know how hard it is to keep on winning and keep clean sheets. So I am very happy because I know what it takes.”
