12:28

Jurgen Klopp has said Mohamed Salah is a fundamental reason why Liverpool are challenging for the Premier League title as he dismissed concerns over the Egypt international’s recent form.



Salah will equal Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of scoring 50 goals in the fewest number of games for a single club should he convert once against Burnley on Sunday. The 26-year-old would also shatter the Liverpool record held by Fernando Torres in the process. Torres required 72 matches to hit the half century for Liverpool while Sunday represents Salah’s 66th league appearance for the club.

Liverpool’s 20-goal leading scorer has not scored in four games, however, and despite being deemed “unplayable” by Klopp against Watford he endured a difficult afternoon at Everton last weekend. Salah has never gone five appearances without a goal for Liverpool and his manager insists he is satisfied with the forward’s contribution.

“We very often have talks,” said Klopp. “Of course, when you are a striker or offensive player and you have chances in the game, you want to score with them in the game - that’s clear. But as a manager, I’m more than used to that players don’t score all the time. That’s how it is.

“He has an unbelievable record. His goals brought us where we are - not only, but it was a big part of it. No, we didn’t really speak about it because it’s completely normal. We have to create chances. In a very difficult game against Everton, we had four or five proper chances. We had less than that in games when we won against Everton, to be honest. This game, always one Everton leg was in between us and the goal or Pickford. That’s the situation, but nothing else.”

Liverpool welcome back Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from an 11-month injury lay-off today when the midfielder returns for the under-23s at Derby County. Klopp also expects to have Joe Gomez back after this month’s international break although James Milner and Dejan Lovren are doubts for Burnley.

The Liverpool manager added: “It’s a rather positive moment. Dejan trained yesterday for the first time completely normal. Joe is now running with 100% of his weight. Most of the things will be around after the international break, for example Joe. Dejan was out for a while so we have to see how his fitness is exactly. He’s not injured, he’s fit, but how fit we have to see.

“Rhian [Brewster] trained, looked really good, but he’s in a situation Ox was in maybe three weeks ago. Milly, we will have to see. It’s Milly, so everything heals quicker; he was already outside yesterday. He had a little bit with a muscle issue but still three days to go until the game and I think if you ask Milly he will say I will be ready.”

