Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted there is no competition for goals between the club’s scintillating front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
The trio have formed a frightening attacking line-up and their goals helped the Reds to the Champions League final last season and turned them into Manchester City’s biggest threat in the Premier League.
Salah and Mane both opened their accounts for the season in the 4-0 win over West Ham last weekend and, speaking ahead of his team’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night, Klopp insisted the trio are not competing against each other.
‘They don’t count each other’s goals but they like playing together,’ the German said in his press-conference on Friday.
‘I love the fact that we have the chance to bring other players in with similar qualities but it’s not about having a competition between our strikers and I don’t think they are overly bothered about the specific number of goals.
‘They only want to win football games and they like the way we play. They get the benefit from that and get a lot of things back in return from the team in their defensive work for example.’
Klopp also hailed Joe Gomez’s performance against the Hammers as the young English defender continues to play alongside Virgil van Dijk in defence. The German also gave an update on the fitness of both Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
‘I was never in doubt about Joe and his ability to play centre half,’ the manager added.
‘At full-back it is hard but you normally have a centre back behind you. He’s a very good player, him and Virgil have a good understanding but we have the others as well.
‘Joel will hopefully be in the squad on Monday but Dejan is still a bit injured and we have (Nat) Phillips and Fabinho who can play there as well. We have enough players and now have to see who is fit and which players fit the opponents best.’