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Football London
Football London
Sport
Andy Ha

Mohamed Salah benching explained as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals substitution plan

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he decided to rest Mohamed Salah against Crystal Palace due to the amount of matches he has played lately.

Salah scored Liverpool's opener in their 2-1 win over Tottenham in midweek, but he has been named on the bench and is replaced in the starting line-up by Takumi Minamino for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Klopp has taken the opportunity to freshen up his side, with Joel Matip and Naby Keita also named in the team at the expense of Curtis Jones and Rhys Williams.

"Both teams are in the same situation, playing Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday so it will be a tough ask," Klopp told BT Sport before the match.

"Palace are playing a similar system to Tottenham, they like to counter attack so we have to go again.

"Mo Salah is on the bench, they have all played a lot of games. He can come on and make a difference. We need all the boys.

"Bringing in Eze in was smart business for Palace, Schlupp has found his position, Zaha is playing higher - it is a proper Premier League team."

Klopp also added that he plans to use Salah at some point in the game.

"Mo played the last four games nearly full so it was clear we tried to change today a little bit. Mo can come on and, hopefully, make the difference - that is the plan."

Speaking before the game, Palace boss Roy Hodgson says he is excited for the challenge of facing Liverpool.

"We are very positive, it's always a pleasure to welcome a team like Liverpool to Selhurst Park. Our mood is good after three good performances," he said.

"Christian Benteke would have been a handful for Liverpool but we have been robbed of that. Jordan Ayew has always done well for us.

"Nathaniel Clyne has recovered fantastically from a serious injury and he's delighted to play against his former club.

"You don't become champions of England and Europe without the ability they have got - they find a way of restarting from zero every time."

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