Pundit claims Jurgen Klopp may have fallen out with "disgruntled" Liverpool star

Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle expressed his concern after Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp left out Mohamed Salah from the starting XI for their 0-0 draw with Chelsea.

The Reds boss made a number of surprise changes for the fixture, with Salah, Cody Gakpo and Trent Alexander-Arnold all dropping to the bench.

Virgil van Dijk also missed out, but he had already been ruled out of contention through illness prior to kick-off.

Gakpo and Salah did make substitute appearances in the second half, but neither could inspire Liverpool to what would have been a much-needed win.

Although the Reds have struggled this season - they sit in eighth position in the Premier League table, with 43 points - Salah has been one of the positives, netting 12 goals and providing seven assists this term.

But he was substituted on 70 minutes during the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday, meaning it came as a surprise that he did not start against Chelsea.

Speaking about Klopp's decision before the game, Hoddle gave one possible reason for the call made by the Liverpool boss.

Hoddle on Klopp, Salah

Hoddle told Premier League Productions (quotes via HITC): "There were always going to be changes, but I didn't think there would be as many as that.

"Salah is a surprise, to me. He looked very disgruntled and unhappy at the weekend when he came off. Something might have gone on there [with Klopp]."

Speaking before the game, however, the German explained that the changes were made in order to give some players some much-needed rest, while taking the decision to allow others to rest as well.

He said (via This is Anfield): "It's like some get a rest, some need a rest. We needed fresh legs, we needed fresh minds.

"It's how I said before - it hasn't worked out well the last few weeks so we have to make changes. We are not overly happy so there must be an opportunity for other players."

One of the players given a chance by Klopp was midfielder Curtis Jones, who had not started a game for the Reds since November 1.

On his performance, the boss said (via Liverpool's official website): "Good. Absolutely good. Until he lost power a little bit, but that's now completely normal."

Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, Premier League, Chelsea

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.