Jurgen Klopp has labelled Mohamed Salah a ‘proper striker’ following the latest instalment of his remarkable scoring feat.
The Egyptian scored his 37th goal of the season across all competitions and 29th league goal of the campaign on Saturday with a vital winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 triumph away to Crystal Palace.
His strike helped complete an admirable comeback after Sadio Mane had drawn the Reds level in response to Luka Milivojević’s first half penalty.
A stunning record has been glossed by Salah’s production arriving from the right of Liverpool’s front three in comparison to that of orthodox centre-forwards in Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero.
Discussing Salah’s late strike, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “That’s true, that makes him a proper striker. If you only score on a perfect day then you cannot score 37 goals, that’s clear. [He is] outstanding.”
“Just having him on the pitch on a situation like that is good. Hopefully it stays like this, that’s the most important thing. Both goals we scored today were fantastic goals; both were team goals, both were outstandingly good play.”
“We had more of these situations, coming into the box to the touchline, crossing the ball flat and hard. We could have had more players in the position, but you saw even though the boys can play better, they are still dangerous.”
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Whilst Salah has prevailed as a persistent menace cutting in on his left foot, he has also racked up his figures courtesy of a notable tendency to drift central.
It’s for the intelligence and intent of his movement in behind centre-backs that is perhaps a deterrent to Klopp seeking another backup for Roberto Firmino in the summer.
The confidence and self-belief he picked up during his time in Italy has fuelled a no.9-like conviction in the final third, in terms of both finishing chances and executing the pass to create them.
With key games still to be played, few would bet against him surpassing 40 for the season.