Jurgen Klopp is reportedly likely to take Mohamed Salah out of Liverpool’s starting XI in the final UEFA Europa League group stage match against Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Reds have qualified for the next round of the European competition as group winners, with tomorrow night’s clash in Belgium essentially a dead rubber for Liverpool.
A number of youngsters have been named in Klopp’s squad ahead of the Thursday fixture, and Salah could now be rested with Manchester United coming up in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Evening Standard report that the £34m attacker might not be named in the Liverpool starting XI, with Salah set for a deserved night off having made history this season with the Reds.
The winger scored his 200th goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, with Salah playing all but one game this season for Liverpool.
Indeed, with Liverpool home and dry in qualifying for the Europa League knockout stages, resting Salah is a wise decision heading into tomorrow’s clash against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Liverpool need to take it easy against Union Saint-Gilloise
With Liverpool confirmed group winners, there’s little reason for Klopp to start Liverpool’s most important players with an eye already on Sunday against United.
As a result, the Liverpool manager would be wise to fully rest his main starting XI heading into the weekend, which means giving Salah a deserved night off.
Moreover, the fixture in Belgium against Union Saint-Gilloise will give Liverpool a chance to field some youngsters who have been itching to get back into senior action in the Europa League.
The likes of Luke Chambers, Lewis Koumas and Ben Doak could all feature tomorrow night, and it could be a special evening for Liverpool’s youngsters if Klopp is feeling generous.
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