Jurgen Klopp shocked the football world with the decision to substitute Mohamed Salah in the 62nd minute of the Reds’ unwanted record-setting Premier League defeat to rivals Chelsea.
Salah made it clear he was frustrated at the change with his reaction as he sat down on the bench after he was hauled off in a double substitution that introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diogo Jota.
Chances of the moment being forgotten quickly went out the window when the forward’s agent also decided to show his disappointment, to the entire internet via Twitter, in a foolish post.
All of that couldn’t explain why the 28-year-old was hooked against his former club, but reporter Matt Critchley appeared to notice precisely why the side’s biggest attacking threat was substituted.
Critchley reports that five minutes before the change, Klopp was ‘screaming’ at the wide forward to track back and contribute defensively, requests that Salah never fulfilled with a ‘half hearted jog’
At that exact moment, Critchley also noted that Klopp turned to assistant Pep Lijnders almost immediately, with the pair then discussing a substitution.
See More: Liverpool set unwanted history for the first time ever on two fronts after losing to Chelsea at former fortress of Anfield
Salah not happy at being taken off. Shaking his head as walked to bench. But 5 mins ago Klopp was screaming at him to track back & help out defensively, he was a long way off. Bit of a half hearted jog. Klopp turned to Ljinders almost straight away & they discussed replacing him
— Matt Critchley (@MattCritchley1) March 4, 2021
Salah did himself no favours with his reaction that has been caught and filmed by eagle-eyed viewers, whilst the so-called agent supposed to have his best interests in heart has also made it into a drama.
Klopp lost it few months back.. I said it three months ago that I am very worried about Liverpool because
of Klopp. This guy is making really bad decisions! I think Liverpool just lost Salah. Klopp is like a broken
record lately! The only two dangerous attacks for Liverpool were two passes from Salah, one to Sadio and
one to Jones and they both wasted the amazing passes! So, what does Klopp do, he takes Salah off! If they had any chance in getting back into the game, it would have been with Salah! What an ….!