Jurgen Klopp acknowledged how Liverpool have been fortunate to bring both Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez off the bench during their match against Fulham, describing it as a “crazy situation.”
The Reds secured a 3-1 victory over the Cottagers, with goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch, and Diogo Jota. Supported by Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, Jota’s performance highlighted a significant improvement in Liverpool’s attacking prowess following a lackluster couple of weeks.
Salah and Nunez are among those who have faced challenges with form during this stretch. Consequently, both were rotated against Fulham, with Jota earning his first start since recovering from a long-term knee injury, while Gakpo retained his spot following some promising recent performances.
Jurgen Klopp expressed his satisfaction with having such depth and flexibility in his squad once more. This availability of options is particularly welcome given the squad’s struggles with injuries over the past six months.
“We made these changes because we were 100% convinced we had to,” the Liverpool head coach said. “Not a gamble.
“We play on Wednesday and then we play on Saturday, in London again, which is crazy enough. That’s how it is. We need to make these changes before the players give me the obvious sign, ‘sorry, I’m done’. Really happy with that.
“The squad situation at the moment is as good as it has been in this season. Hopefully it stays like that. If you saw our bench today, that was real quality and experience.
“Yes, have them all back and can mix it up. Can bring on Darwin and Mo today, is a crazy situation. Didn’t work out a little bit because of offside but it looked really dangerous. Now let’s see how we start the next game.
“I loved all the kids who played for us. Jarell (Jarell Quansah) did today again an incredible job. We wouldn’t be where we are without them.
“But it’s cool to have all the big guns as well around. Now, we have to stay really on it. Let’s see what we can do.”
After the final whistle, Klopp maintained that Salah remains Liverpool’s best finisher, despite recent criticism of his goal-scoring performances.
However, Klopp’s praise extended beyond Salah, as he also commended Jota, Diaz, and Gakpo, who started in place of Salah.
“The best finisher in this club is obviously Mo Salah with some distance,” he explained. “It’s just super cool to have Diogo back. He can play all three positions upfront.
“Tell you what, it’s as important that Cody Gakpo is back. He wasn’t injured, but has been struggling. He’s now fully back. Three or four games, he is physically there. Really strong, keeps the ball, that’s really helpful as well.
“But it’s really cool to have Diogo back, now only because of the goal. Because of the performance, looked really good.
“Lucho played an incredible game on the right wing. First half especially, nearly didn’t stop. It all helped. Wataru Endo, little bit of a dip but second half, wow, what a game. Very helpful.”