None of Liverpool’s front three got the night off on Tuesday.
Prior to the team announcement, fans wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were all allowed the opportunity to put their feet up at Anfield, where Liverpool had just the 5-0 lead to defend.
However that wasn’t the case.
The return leg against Porto was not exactly a thrilling encounter but it wasn’t for a lack of talent on the pitch as manager Jurgen Klopp started Firmino and Mane, as well as first-team regulars like Jordan Henderson and Emre Can.
With a crunch Premier League clash against Manchester United just days away, fans felt that it would be unwise for Klopp to introduce Salah, the club’s top scorer by a significant margin, at any point.
But Klopp was keen to inject a bit of excitement and he sent on the Egypt international with just over 15 minutes remaining.
And with Salah’s arrival, entertainment value soon followed as the 25-year-old picked a dropping ball out of the air with a frankly ridiculous first touch.
Mohamed Salah's first touch after coming onto the pitch. This man just continues to amaze. #LFC pic.twitter.com/IsXFbafUVj
— Julian (@jdoubIeuu) March 6, 2018
Nervous Reds supporters immediately questioned their manager’s willingness to needlessly risk his side’s talisman in a game that had been won three weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/PenimaraC/status/971147274578550784
Salah best not get injured
— M.A (@Saruchiiiiii) March 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Martin_7x/status/971133854298894339
Honestly every time salah has the ball i get scared. Don’t want him injured plz 🙏
— ab. (@lxrdAB) March 6, 2018
But when it was put to Klopp in his post-match press conference that supporters were filled with concern at the sight of Salah’s number illuminated in green on the fourth official’s board, he just laughed off the worries.
“It is normal that people think about injuries but that can happen at any time,” Klopp said.
“I told him if he runs a lot he doesn’t have to train tomorrow.”
Given Klopp’s expectations of his players, we’re sure he was joking with that last comment.
