Tim Sherwood told Optus Sport on Premier League Productions that he was ‘surprised’ that Mohamed Salah didn’t start for Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday night.
Given that Salah is Liverpool’s top-goalscorer and they are now ‘out of everything’, Michael Owen also questioned Jurgen Klopp’s decision,
Salah did come off the bench for Sadio Mane in the second half, as Liverpool recorded a 1-1 draw against Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
But with Salah chasing the Golden Boot and Leeds being a pretty open side, Sherwood just couldn’t understand why the £34 million star (BBC Sport) was left out.
“I am surprised Mo Salah’s not playing, I really am,” said Sherwood. “When you are top-scorer, there is no time to rotate and there are only a few games left to play your best side.
“For me, in this game, when you need one v one ability, I think Mo Salah would be there. Jota as well. I would be dropping a midfield player.
“I am going to ask Micheal (Owen) if the manager comes to you, Jurgen Klopp, and says ‘you are a goalscorer, you are not going to play tonight against Leeds How devastated are you?'”
Owen responded: “Well, this is one of those games where you think of the Golden Boot. I mean he wants to get into the top four, no doubt about it. They are out of everything. This is it. I cannot believe he has rested or rotated his main man.”
It’s pretty remarkable that during an indifferent and injury-hit campaign for Liverpool, Salah is still standing tall and producing the goods.
At this moment in time, Salah is two behind Tottenham’s Harry Kane in the top-scoring stakes, but given that he is now an injury doubt, it does open the door for the Merseyside speedster to sneak past him.
But with Bruno Fernandes being next in line with 16 goals, it does seem as though these last few rounds will be between Salah and Kane for that Golden Boot.
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