Jurgen Klopp coy on Mohamed Salah contract talks & other takeaways from Liverpool boss’ Crystal Palace presser

Jurgen Klopp has addressed the media ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday (15.00 BST).

Here are the main takeaways from the Reds boss’ press conference.

Salah contract update

Mo Salah continued his excellent start to the season with a fourth goal in all competitions in the 3-2 win against AC Milan on Wednesday.

The forward is out of contract in less than two years’ time and Kopites are desperate to see him follow the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho and commit his future.

Amid reports Salah wants £500,000 per week to remain at Anfield, Klopp was tight-lipped about negotiations.

He said: “There’s nothing really to say, especially not for me, I’m not involved.

“The only thing I’m really interested in is how Mo looks, how sharp and committed he looks and it’s spot on.

“It’s not a real thing, there’s nothing new to talk about.

Origi a doubt

Divock Origi made a stunning comeback against Milan.

He was a surprise starter ahead of Sadio Mane despite being omitted from the previous three match-day squads.

Klopp revealed he played Origi because he’d impressed in training - but the Belgian is a doubt to be involved in the Palace clash after limping off with cramp against the Rossoneri.

The Reds boss said: “It was exceptional coming in and playing like that. We play a lot of games now and train pretty often during the international break.

“Divock was not involved and could train with us. He was really showing up in training and that’s why I started him.

“It’s not so easy but he was really focused and helped us a lot, not only offensively but defensively. The chip for Mo was an incredible moment.

“He had cramp towards the end of the game and we have to see what that means for tomorrow but he looked really good.”

Plan for Van Dijk

It also caught everyone off guard that Virgil van Dijk was benched for the Milan clash.

He’s scarcely been omitted when fit since arriving at Anfield for £75 million in January 2018.

After only returning from a long-term knee injury last month, Klopp reaffirmed that Van Dijk required a rest but doesn’t see him being rotated too much when he’s fully over his setback.

Van Dijk’s set to come back into the team to face the Selhurst Park outfit.

Klopp said: “I would say it’s a short-term thing. He was fine and could have played but I want to be sensible.

“We had three long-term injuries with Joel [Matip], Joe [Gomez] and Virgil and Ibra [Konate] half-a-year ago had a long-term injury as well.

“The quality is incredible and we always need to make sure there’s a proper pair on the pitch.

“We’re early in the season and it was the right thing to do.”

Firmino fitness update 

Liverpool don’t have too many injury concerns ahead of the visit of Patrick Viera’s side.

But Roberto Firmino will again be sidelined as he’s yet to return to full training due to a hamstring injury.

“He’s not ready,” said Klopp. “Bobby doesn’t start training until next week then we have to see.”

Exceptional Mane 

Sadio Mane will become the latest player to hit 100 goals for Liverpool if he nets against Palace.

The Senegal international missed a glut of chances before scoring at Leeds United last week while he was also given a spell of respite against Milan.

Regardless, Klopp’s delighted with Mane’s current form.

He said: “Sadio looks really good and sharp. We talk about these things when strikers miss chances but the amount of chances he had is important.

“He will get to 100 one day. That would be really nice [if it’s tomorrow]. Sadio’s in a really good moment physically and mentally.

“When a player misses a chance, he still has a smile on his place. Sadio is an exceptional player and he has to perform to exceptional levels, which he is.”