Jurgen Klopp admits Mohamed Salah needs more help from his Liverpool team-mates.
The Egyptian forward struggled to make an impact in the Reds’s 0-0 draw at Manchester United on Sunday, which continued a poor goal scoring record against other top six sides this season.
Salah has now scored once in eight matches against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal – with his solitary goal coming from the spot against the Gunners.
Although the 26-year-old is the joint top scorer this term – level with Sergio Aguero on 17 goals – his blank against United meant he has gone an entire year without scoring against the top six.
Klopp has admitted his talisman and last year’s PFA Player of the Year needs more help from his peers to influence games.
“Two months ago we played against Bournemouth and he was the star in the sky”, Klopp said.
“It is about how we use him, how we play him, how we move and all that stuff. Against United, Lindelof and Shaw together did a pretty good job.”
Salah has himself admitted he has found it tougher this season – with teams often opting to double-up on him following his extraordinary debut season last term.
He said: “This season is much more difficult for me than last season but there is a misunderstanding from people as they always judge you in one way.
“I don’t like that much but I don’t care too much because I’m helping the team win games and I’m still the top scorer in the Premier League.”
Klopp has been more flexible with his tactics this season, with Salah occasionally deployed as no.9 – and after Roberto Firmino hobbled off in Sunday’s derby and left Old Trafford on crutches, the former Chelsea man has said he is happy to play in that position more.
“The manager talks to me about it,” he added. “It depends on the game and the tactics the manager wants. He doesn’t suddenly say ‘okay, now you play no.9’.
“He talks to me before the game and gives me that time and what he wants. I’m comfortable as no.9.”
Klopp also believed his side needed to be more flexible against United.
He said: “It was not flexible enough. The build up from deep was okay but you need to be more flexible, keep the ball in the right area, shoot etc.
“The attitude is not questioned. But keep cool, pass the ball around, go in the right areas, finish the situations off.”