Explained: Why Mohamed Salah was dropped by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for crucial Premier League clash with Fulham

The Egyptian superstar remains a talismanic presence for the Reds and is rarely left out when fully fit. That has remained the case this season, with Salah registering 24 goals for Liverpool through 38 appearances in all competitions – passing 200 for the club in total along the way.

Salah was included from the off in a Europa League quarter-final clash with Atalanta on Thursday, with a match-winning penalty recorded in Bergamo as Liverpool crashed out of continental competition 3-1 on aggregate.

With a Merseyside derby date with Everton next on the agenda, Klopp told Sky Sports of handing Salah a well-earned rest: “We play three super-important games in six days. I hate thinking about the next game before the one in front of us, but in our situation we cannot ignore the fact we have to make changes. To get fresh legs in and use the squad. It’s the best situation, squad wise, we’ve had the whole year. That’s why we did it. I made six changes and you only asked me about Mo… We need them all and they will either start or come on. I spoke to Mo and things are fine, he will come on.”

Liverpool remain in the Premier League title hunt this season, with Klopp eager to walk away in the summer with another trophy to his name. Salah will have a key role to play in that quest, but no risks will be taken on the 31-year-old’s fitness given his importance to the collective cause.