Liverpool, August 6 (BNA): Jurgen Klopp has backed Liverpool coach Mohamed Salah in the new season after the Egyptian striker ended speculation about his future at Anfield by signing a new long-term contract with the Premier League club.
Salah, who scored 31 goals for Liverpool last season to win the domestic cup double, put his pen to paper in a three-year deal last month, Reuters reported.
“He’s in really good shape and of course he’s happy to be here,” Klopp told reporters ahead of the opening game at promoted Fulham on Saturday.
“As it was obvious to him, and I said we’d finish the deal, it was open-ended and everybody’s talking about it. We’re human, but I didn’t see him being too distracted, honest.”
Salah also featured in the Africa Cup of Nations in a long season for the 30-year-old, but Klopp insisted he was eager to get back in.
“A few weeks into the holiday, Mo was always full of strength and energy and came back in great shape,” said the German. “He looked really sharp in the whole pre-season. It could go on for a long time.”
With Sadio Mane moving to Bayern Munich, there will be additional pressure on Salah to lead the front line, which has been reinforced by the addition of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool finished second last season by beating Manchester City to the title by a point.
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