'Not surprised' - Jurgen Klopp sends blunt message to Mohamed Salah as Liverpool injury crisis worsens

Klopp gave his verdict on the attacking performance of his team. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp believes Mohamed Salah should have scored a hat-trick when making his comeback from injury in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Brentford.

The Egyptian had missed the last month with a hamstring injury suffered during the Africa Cup of Nations, but marked his return with a goal and assist off the bench to help the Reds clinch an emphatic win over the Bees.

However, the 31-year-old had missed two glorious chances to score in each half prior to his goal before making it third-time lucky when running onto Cody Gakpo’s flick-on. Having also set up Alexis Mac Allister’s goal, he now has 19 goals and nine assists for the season.

Darwin Nunez and Gakpo also got on the scoresheet in the win, with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz claiming assists. However, Liverpool also lost the Uruguayan and Portuguese to injury.

Speaking after the final whistle, Klopp was full of praise for his attacking options, before admitting his hope that he has not been limited to three available attackers in the near-future.

“Not surprised about that (them all providing goal contributions),” Klopp said. “Mo played the first game in weeks.

“I think he could have had a hat-trick. The first one, Lucho kicks the ball against his right foot, the other one, Mo usually finishes that off. But the goal he scored was absolutely outstanding.

“They all play well, they are all good players. Cody’s goal was absolutely outstanding as well.

“That’s all cool. You can count the games coming up, it would be helpful if we had a bit more than one for each position.”

Meanwhile, Klopp also praised Conor Bradley and Caoimhin Kelleher after their performances as the Northern Ireland international returned to action following the death of his father, while the goalkeeper retained his place in the absence of Alisson Becker following an 11th hour hamstring injury in training.

“He was outstanding, he was outstanding,” he said of Kelleher. “I don’t know who is number one for Ireland, but if they have a better goalie than him, I have to say respect.

“He is outstanding. Caoim already had enough games this year to have rhythm. Goalies are a different breed to other people. This year, we give him more games than he had previously.

“It’s well-deserved. We need him and we need him with rhythm, and the situation around Ali shows that makes sense.”

And of Bradley, he said: “I am (incredibly proud). I am over the moon about him. Pretty special, very, very special, but he was special before. Played an exceptional game. Very impressive.”