Former Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari has explained that Liverpool’s fearsome attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane are “fantastic” but they would not be as successful without the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson behind them in defense.
Liverpool’s incredible front line has been key to helping Jurgen Klopp’s side establish a 10-point lead at the summit of the Premier League table, scoring 22 goals and supplying 13 assists cumulatively so far.
There is no doubt that the trio will central to the Reds’ chances of winning the Club World Cup in Qatar, with a semi-final against Monterrey on Wednesday preceding a potential meeting with Flamengo for the trophy on Saturday.
Solari led La Liga giants Real Madrid to Club World Cup success in 2018 and believes that Salah, Firmino, and Mane are only able to shine so brightly because of the quality backing them up on the pitch which is the rest of their teammates.
In a recent chat with Omnisport, the 43-year-old Argentine explained that the trio upfront is superb but credit should be given to the entire team as well as Liverpool’s backline which allows the attackers to play with so much of freedom, “They are fantastic of course. These three strikers almost every game score. They’re always a threat to any defense. It’s about the team when you’re successful. They wouldn’t be who they are without such a solid midfield and defenders like Van Dijk or a goalkeeper like Alisson. So football, it’s all about the team.”
Liverpool is in sublime form this campaign and have won 16 of their opening 17 games so far in the Premier League as they look to end their 30-year wait for the elusive English title.
