Jurgen Klopp answers if Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will play in the UCL final vs Real Madrid after Southampton snub
Speaking in the press conference before the game against Southampton tonight (h/t Eurosport), Jurgen Klopp claimed that he has no doubts about Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk playing for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid.
The Reds boss has ruled them out for the game against the Saints tonight, in what is a must-win game for them. But the German manager is hoping to have them available for the weekend game against Wolves.
“They are both OK. So, the target would be for both that they can be involved again on the weekend.“Properly involved, bench or whatever and a few minutes or start, I don’t know, we will see that because that would then be perfect for the [UCL final].
VVD and Salah available for UCL final
The former Borussia Dortmund manager then added that he had ‘no doubt’ about the duo being available for the final in Paris. The Reds take part in their 10th European Cup/Champions League final as they aim to win their 7th title.
“We are very positive, or [have] no doubt about the final. I’m pretty realistic about the Wolves game, but tomorrow rather not.””
This is big news. After several draws earlier this season in games we comfortably led in, it always felt like the league title was slipping away from our hands. West Ham United’s draw against Manchester City gives us a chance but Pep Guardiola’s side are overwhelming favourites to smash Aston Villa on the final day.
The UEFA Champions League is something in our hands. It is arguably the biggest trophy in club football and is the last major game of the season in Europe when it comes to the top leagues. It has the capacity to define the summer of the club and every single fan associated with it.
van Dijk and Salah are two of our best players. LFC playing without them would be somewhat akin to Los Blancos playing without Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo during the mid and late-2010s. They are simply the two players that we pin all our hopes on.
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Salah has been underwhelming since the AFCON but he can change games within seconds, and more importantly, tie up Madrid’s left flank in their own half due to the explosive burst of pace he possesses. It is certainly a boost to hear about the duo’s availability for the final in Paris but there are two more games to win before that.
