Jurgen Klopp dismisses ‘selfish’ claims aimed at Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah

Liverpool’s forward duo combined to devastating effect this weekend against Southampton

Liverpool are flying at the top of the Premier League, 22 points clear and on their way to a first title win in 30 years.

Even so, they aren't immune to the calls for improvements from some areas that every successful team faces, with top scorer Mohamed Salah recently facing criticism.

Prior to last week's game against West Ham, Salah had scored two goals in six league games, despite taking 22 shots across that run.

The nine per cent conversion rate in that stretch of fixtures was well below his rate for the entire campaign, which stood at 14.5 per cent up to that point.

Since then, though, the No 11 has scored once against West Ham in a 2-0 win and twice against Southampton in a 4-0 victory, from nine shots.

Rather than being concerned over Salah taking on too many opportunities, manager Jurgen Klopp instead pointed to how much work his forward does in other areas of the pitch, along with noting that the Egyptian was capable of scoring from improbable situations.

“A week ago people were talking about Mo Salah,” Klopp said in his press conference.

“Mo was never selfish, or more selfish than he should be. A striker in the right position, we have seen goals from Mo where he scores in between four players and finds the roof of the goal.

“Then when you don’t score people say you should have passed here or there. He was very unselfish [vs. Southampton] and he got the balls back so he could score."

As well as praising his 14-goal forward, Klopp also reserved positive words for his partner in crime Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian laid on a hat-trick of assists for his team-mates against Saints and is a pivotal part of the team - despite being yet to score at Anfield this season.

Salah and Firmino celebrate (Getty Images)

The No 9 plays a very particular role for the Reds, however, and Klopp elaborated on how it is the symbiotic relationship between his attackers which allows the team to thrive, rather than being hampered by one not scoring enough and the other shooting too much.

"Bobby is just exceptional, a very football smart person, I do not know a player like him, that is true.

“But even a player like Bobby needs an address where he can send the ball, because he cannot take the ball and turn and run alone. How he uses the skills of his mates is special.”

Klopp further spoke about the relentless nature of his team and demanded it continued, despite the enormous gap Liverpool have opened at the top.

"It looked as though if we lose we are relegated. That is how the boys were. That is the only way for us to win a game. It is always the same.”