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Jurgen Klopp firmly denies Mohamed Salah issue as big promise is made to Man City

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is confident Mohamed Salah can put aside his recent troubles, having issued a warning to Manchester City and the rest of the Reds’ opponents this season.

The Egyptian star is very much one of the first names on Liverpool’s teamsheet. Despite competition being strong in the Liverpool attack, Salah is very much a favourite of Klopp and the Liverpool supporters. And, having plundered a huge 28 goals and 11 assists this season, it’s not hard to see why.

His form at Liverpool this season is, arguably, the best of his career. And it’s all gone on in the wake of an ongoing contract situation, which threatens to see the player leave. That said, hopefully a positive end is in sight for Salah and Liverpool.

However, despite Salah’s brilliant numbers this season, his goals output since his return from African Cup of Nations has not been great.

Having started the season with nine goals in his first eight games, Salah managed a goal contribution every game up until Christmas.

His Egypt side went all the way to the final at AFCON, eventually losing to Sadio Mane’s Senegal. And each and every knockout game for Egypt when all the way through 120 minutes.

Clearly that has had some impact on the player too. Since returning in February, Salah has managed just four Premier League goals for the Reds.

However, Klopp is adamant there is no problem with Salah and is backing him to have a massive end to the season.

Mohamed Salah ready for huge end to the season

Klopp claims that’s when big players come to the party – and Klopp is now expecting his star to deliver against Manchester City.

“It’s just in our business the problem we have is that in January he had the most intense period in his whole career,” Klopp said.

“The tournament went until the wire. They played in the final, they had all these 120 minute [matches], the role he has is super, super massive. There is a huge responsibility on his shoulders with dressing room meetings and stuff like this with no recovery at all.

“Then you have the issue of being a superstar in your own country and everyone wants something of you. It is all super intense. Again – that is ok for the boys. But now we are in a period where there is no down [time] and that is completely normal.

“But the boys here are focused every day. ‘Oh we still are?’ I know that Mo will finish strong. It’s just at the moment we have to reset because each game for us is a final. From the beginning of January, that is crazy.”

Klopp going all out for FA Cup glory

Liverpool remain on course to win the quadruple this season. Having already got the Carabao Cup in the bag, they are also second in the Premier League and into the semi-finals of the Champions League. If they beat Villarreal, they will face Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final.

First up for Liverpool, however, is another meeting with City, this time at Wembley in the FA Cup.

Klopp has been accused in the past of not taking the competition seriously.

However, he is very much looking forward to playing at Wembley and pushing to reach the final.

“The FA Cup is a massive competition. So far we hadn’t even been to the semis, it is my first experience of a semi-final at Wembley, better late than never. I hope the fans can get to London and we have the atmosphere City v Liverpool deserves.”

Should Liverpool edge City, they will be reaching their first FA Cup final since 2012.

You can see predicted team here with the return of Mohamed Salah among a number of changes Liverpool expect to make.

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