Two of Liverpool’s mainstay strikers, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, had to swallow different fates at the 2022 World Cup. Finding Mane successfully bringing the Senegal national team to the 2022 World Cup, while Salah failed to qualify for the Egyptian national team, Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp, also commented . He admits he has mixed feelings.
After suffering a bitter defeat in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final, Egypt again suffered the same fate in the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Senegal. Egypt’s 1-3 defeat on penalties to Senegal meant that Salah had to bury his dream of competing in the 2022 World Cup.
On the other hand, Sadio Mane who defended Senegal got good luck. They are certain to qualify to compete in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup title.
Klopp also admitted that he was happy after Mane was confirmed to appear in the four-year competition. But at the same time, the German coach also sympathised with Salah, who failed to appear in the World Cup.
“Obviously, I’m very happy for Sadio, that he can do it. And I’m obviously very disappointed with Mo (Salah),” said Jurgen Klopp, quoted from Liverpool’s official website, Saturday (2/4/2022).
Mohamed Salah, who was also the executor of the penalty kick, failed to carry out his duties. after the 29-year-old was attacked by a Senegalese fan’s laser. Klopp was not happy with it.
“I think the situation with penalties and lasers is not very cool, that’s also clear. So, I feel it, but I’m also happy for Sadio,” added the 54-year-old coach.
Even so, Klopp considers this to be a common thing that happens in football. He is also sure that Salah and Mane’s relationship will not be strained by this incident. “That’s football, we’re used to it, it’s always been like this. It’s different when two pairs in a big game play against each other.”
“But they are both now top professionals again, very emotional people too, but I’m pretty sure they’re both going to deal with it in the right way.” Now, Liverpool will again be competing in the Premier League against Watford. The match will be held at Anfield, Liverpool, Saturday (2/4/2022).
