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FILE – Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, on Saturday, February 1, 2020 (AP Photo / Jon Super).
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp moved to dismiss speculation about the future of Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah, saying on Thursday that he is happy with the Premier League champions.
The 28-year-old gave an interview in Spain last week in which he said that Barcelona and Real Madrid were top clubs and “who knows what will happen in the future.”
This led to speculation whether he was seeking a new, longer-term contract beyond 2023 or whether he was upset that Trent Alexander-Arnold had received the captain’s armband for the Champions League group match with Midtjylland.
“We don’t talk about agreements, well, not with you (the media). Why should we start now? Klopp said in his press conference before Sunday’s game against West Brom.
“Mo is in a good mood, it’s always a good time. He is in very good shape and that is the most important thing to me.
“We had no photos (of the training ground) this morning, but if we did you would have seen him laugh, he enjoyed the session.
“It’s good that everyone writes about the rest, but internally, no, nothing really.”
If Salah is restless, it hasn’t been reflected in his performances on the field this season.
He has scored 13 goals in the same number of league matches, losing just one due to Covid-19 isolation.
It’s his best start to a Premier League stint, even better than his debut campaign when he scored 32 in 38 appearances and recorded 12 goals in the same 14-game leg.
He came off the bench last Saturday to score a double in the 7-0 win at Crystal Palace.
“I think there are all these things to talk about – he wasn’t a starter in the last game, all the things I heard afterwards about what the reason could be and then he came in and scored two,” Klopp said.
“I think in his first season he was not a starter against Stoke, he came in and scored two. Obviously it doesn’t take long. “
Klopp said he expected his players to build on their advantage over rivals; they currently have a four-point advantage over Leicester.
The Reds have a hectic schedule over the holiday period with a home game with Newcastle next Wednesday and Southampton the following Monday.
“All the guys were having a good time, so we have the points we have so far,” he said.
“Now it is much more important that we really continue. Everyone knows that the most difficult point of the season awaits us.
“The Christmas period is always difficult, so we must make sure we get through it with the correct results.”
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