Premier League preview: Mohamed Salah has ‘nothing to prove’ against Chelsea

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

Liverpool’s in-form forward Mohamed Salah will go up against his old club Chelsea in tomorrow’s late game but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp insists that the Egyptian has “nothing to prove”.

Salah only started six Premier League matches for the Blues during a two-year spell from 2014 to 2016. He was loaned to both Fiorentina and Roma while at the Bridge.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

But since joining Liverpool in June for a record £36.9million, Salah has impressed with 14 goals in 19 matches.

“He was very young in a very strong team and didn’t come through,” Klopp said of Salah in an interview with the BBC.

“That happens often. They already had a fantastic offensive team. Nobody is to blame and for sure not Mo.

“He has improved a lot, especially physically-wise. I don’t think he has to prove something and I don’t think he sees it like that.”

Meanwhile, Salah’s former Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard believes the Egypt star did not get his chance to shine at Stamford Bridge. Hazard told the Guardian: “He’s a top, top, top player. He did not get his chance at Chelsea – maybe because of the manager, because of the other players? I don’t know.

“He has quality but in that period I remember we had me, Willian, Oscar, so for him it was not easy. But he’s a top player, for sure, and we know as a team the quality he has.”

Manchester United vs. Brighton

Even though Manchester City lead the Premier League by eight points, United boss Jose Mourinho says it’s too early in the season to focus on the gap built by the leaders.

United are in second place behind their rivals and Mourinho wants fans – and media – to remain “calm”.

“We cannot think about the gap, we cannot think about the gap to City, we cannot think about the gap to the fifth position,” the United manager told Sky Sports.

“You just have to focus on ourselves in matches. In this moment we haven’t yet reached 50% of the season so let’s be calm. We have four competitions to play and let’s go step-by-step.”

Despite making his return from injury last weekend against Newcastle, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have to wait for his first start of the season. “He is not ready,” said Mourinho. “Step by step, minute after minute, match after match.”

Mourinho also confirmed defenders Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are out of the clash against Brighton.

Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester City

City boss Pep Guardiola says his table-topping side cannot underestimate Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

Last season City were held to a goalless draw by the Terriers in the FA Cup fifth round. Guardiola believes David Wagner’s side will again be well-organised.

“We played last season against them and were not able to win,” said Guardiola. “We realised how complicated it is to play there.

“At home, they have had good results. When they decide to make high pressing, they are so well-organised.”

Defender Vincent Kompany is fit to play against Huddersfield after being rested for the 1-0 Champions League win against Feyenoord in midweek.

This weekend’s Premier League fixtures

Tonight’s fixture

• West Ham United vs. Leicester City (8pm, live on Sky Sports)

Tomorrow’s fixtures (3pm unless stated)

Sunday’s fixtures

• Southampton vs. Everton (1.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
• Burnley vs. Arsenal (2pm)
• Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester City (4pm, live on Sky Sports)