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The most significant moment of Liverpool’s exciting 4-2 victory against Tottenham occurred ten minutes before kick off.
‘And wearing number 11…Mo Salah,’ read the stadium announcer going through Jurgen Klopp’s line-up.
Given events of the previous weekend at West Ham when the star player had confronted the manager, nobody was sure of the crowd reaction given their undying love and appreciation of Klopp.
The Fergie comparison is apt. His own farewell in 2013 was marked with a spectacular falling-out with his superstar, Wayne Rooney, that overshadowed the final trophy lift when the men barely acknowledged each other.
There was huge roar from The Kop when Mo Salah’s name was read by the stadium announcer
Salah’s warm reception came a week after he was involved in a spat with Jurgen Klopp (right)
United supporters were torn between loyalty to their great manager and belief that Rooney had to be part of the future despite having handed in a transfer request to spark interest from Chelsea.
It was Ferguson’s belief Rooney should go, that his best was behind him rather than ahead. The club ultimately disagreed, gave the striker a bumper new five-year contract rather than use the new blood Fergie had bequeathed them including Wilfried Zaha.
Though Rooney stayed at Old Trafford long enough to become the club’s record scorer, they never came close to winning the Premier League or Champions League with him as captain and talisman.
And so to Salah. Do Liverpool try and rake in a fee from Saudi Arabia with 31-year-old Salah having just a year left on his contract. Or do they try and re-sign the winger in the belief he can have a similar impact until 2028 that he’s had dating back to 2016.
Whether Klopp’s advice would be sought is fascinating. United ignored Ferguson and arguably paid the price.
Will Salah be prepared to play 70% of future games under Arne Slot rather than the 100% he’s been accustomed to. It’s hard for players of that status to adapt. Steven Gerrard left when asked to step back by Brendan Rodgers. Alan Shearer raged the first time he was benched by Sir Bobby Robson.
Sunday’s game against Spurs made it more likely there will be a positive outcome. Klopp and Salah both had the maturity to ensure their rift won’t spoil the end of a glorious era at Anfield.
Klopp started Salah – which Fergie didn’t do for Rooney at the end – and Salah responded in exactly the right way with a man-of-the-match performance.
He headed the opening goal and had a major part in Andy Robertson’s second and Harvey Elliott’s fourth. Even at the end when he missed a sitter and had another goal disallowed, he was striving to get in the right positions.
Sir Alex Ferguson (R) and Wayne Rooney (L) barely acknowledged each other during the iconic manager’s final Premier League trophy lift with Manchester United
Liverpoolhave to decide whether to extend Salah’s contract into the post post-Klopp era
Most importantly, Klopp felt moved to praise Salah’s work-rate which was impressive considering there was no trophy at stake.
‘Everybody needs moments to gain confidence and to work really hard in the other direction. Mo was exceptional in that today,’ he said.
On TV, Roy Keane thinks Salah’s future is up for grabs and he’s not necessarily a goner.
‘Salah is an interesting one,’ he mused. ‘Sometimes a player wants a new challenge but the key of course is to get your top players signed up. You can’t be letting them out of the door. It’s certainly a big summer coming up at Liverpool.’
Liverpool have started to rebuild under Klopp. Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson have all been allowed to leave – but not Salah. He has simply been too important; three-time Golden Boot winner, Footballer of the Year, club icon.
A recent run of four games without a goal and injury at AFCON had some suggest it is time for Liverpool to look forward rather than back.
Roy Keane thinks Salah’s future is up for grabs and that he’s not necessarily a goner
Some of LIverpool’s biggest stars including Roberto Firmino have been allowed to leave
Liverpool have started to rebuild under Klopp but Salah has not been allowed to leave the club
Liverpool are giving no encouragement that Salah will be made available at the right price
But Salah is about to turn 32 not 38 and he has looked after himself outstandingly well, which even Rooney wouldn’t probably say about himself at the same stage of his career.
Salah’s demeanour on the pitch, his willingness to support team-mates, make movements off the ball and get into those position to hurt the opposition, that is why his shoes would be as big to fill as Klopp’s.
As a club, Liverpool are giving no encouragement to the idea that he’ll be made available at the right price. On the evidence of the fans’ reaction to their hero against Spurs, they’ll be happy if Slot and the board decide to make him an important part of the club’s future.
