And perhaps, even as the injury has healed, its effects are still felt. Klopp dismisses any notions that Salah has lost confidence, but the heavy touches when he was once so deft, the slight stumbles when he was once so sure: they are the surefire signs. Salah’s newfound profile means he has to deal with the closer attentions of opposing defenders. He has not been able to pick up the burden when he is not quite as fluid, not quite as free as he used to be. The number of goals he has scored despite all of that warrants respect, rather than scorn.

Source: New York Times March 03, 2019 21:56 UTC