Ian Wright on why Jurgen Klopp didn't kick up fuss about Philippe Coutinho leaving as he heaps praise on Mo Salah
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Jurgen Klopp didn't kick up a fuss about losing Philippe Coutinho because he knew he had a better player suited to his system in Mohamed Salah.
That's the opinion of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who has heaped praise on the PFA Player of the Year ahead of Liverpool's Champions League semi-final clash with Roma on Tuesday night.
Liverpool parted company with Coutinho in the January transfer window after fighting hard to keep hold of him in the summer.
Barcelona paid £142million for the Brazilian, and there was genuine fear Liverpool would struggle to compete on all fronts for the remainder of the season after losing such an influential character.
(Image: REUTERS)
But Salah has stepped up to the plate and filled Coutinho's shoes to become the best player at the Anfield club, and Wright believes Klopp foresaw this happening.
Wright told The Sun: "It says much about what he's done for Liverpool that Brazilian maestro Philippe Coutinho has rarely been mentioned since he joined Barcelona.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
"In hindsight, that's probably why Klopp never kicked up a fuss about him going in the first place. The Liverpool boss knew he had a player who better suited the pattern."
Salah beat Kevin De Bruyne to the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday evening after a sensational season for the Reds in which he has so far netted 41 goals.