‘Very surprised’: Michael Owen shocked by Jurgen Klopp’s actions towards Liverpool player

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Michael Owen says he was ‘very surprised’ that Jurgen Klopp substituted Mohamed Salah ‘for a 17-year-old’ in Ben Doak during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s biggest threat going forward was the 31-year-old, including his quite stunning first-half assist that opened the scoring, as he was also unlucky that he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself.

From a disallowed goal for being marginally offside, to his right-footed effort whacking the crossbar, as Owen mentioned, Mohamed Salah ‘played quite well’ during the game, as he told Premier League Productions (13/08/23 at 7:10 pm).

But with just over ten minutes left on the clock, Jurgen Klopp decided to bring on two young guns – Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott – for Salah and Luis Diaz. 

As Salah was going off, he made his feelings clear by ripping off the tape on his hand in anger before taking his place on the bench. 

Owen sympathised with the Egypt star and shared that he was actually having a very good game.

“I was surprised, yeah,” said Owen. “I get his reaction as well. I was definitely surprised. I thought Mo Salah played quite well.

“It was his assist for the goal. An amazing assist. It was his curling right-footed shot that hit the bar. It was him who literally was inches offside and scored, it could have been oh so different.

“He was looking sharp. He is an absolute legend of the club. Consistently scores dozens and dozens of goals every season.

“And to bring him off, for a 17-year-old, yes, I was very surprised.”

Salah key to Liverpool’s title/UCL push

Last season, he netted 19 goals and supplied 12 assists as those around him struggled to maintain the success of recent years.

That’s why there was a big clearout this summer, especially in the midfield, even if some of it wasn’t planned. 

But if the Reds are to, at least, get back to the Champions League and possibly challenge for the Premier League title, then Salah needs to be at his very, very best.