Klopp explains his decision to substitute Salah

CAIRO-17 December 2021: Despite Mohamed Salah's impressive performance with Liverpool against Newcastle United on Thursday night, Liverpool's head coach Jürgen Klopp decided to replace him in the second half. 

Salah had a fantastic match as he gave his team the lead in the first half after following a ball saved by Newcastle goalkeeper and the Egyptian was in the perfect position to put the ball in the back of the net. 

The Egyptian winger left the pitch 20 minutes before the final whistle when the result was 2-1 for the Reds, and he was replaced by Roberto Firmino.

The Egyptian was not happy with Klopp's decision and the coach was asked for an explanation after the match.  

"It was right to take him off a bit earlier. The last ten or fifteen minutes are usually the time for Mo and you could see his face that he is not pleased but we are playing again after three days." Klopp said after the match. 

It is worth mentioning that Firmino, who has just returned from a long injury, set up Liverpool's third goal in the game as his pass found Trent Alexander-Arnold, who fired an unstoppable shot to secure a 3-1 win for the Reds, moving them back only one point off the top of the table. 

Liverpool have a tough mission in London on Sunday when they face Tottenham Hotspur.