‘Big’…Michael Owen reacts to what Jurgen Klopp has just done ahead of facing Manchester City

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Liverpool face Manchester City today and there’s a huge bit of team news, with Mo Salah not included in the starting XI.

Salah was expected to be back in the XI but Klopp has instead opted to go with his talisman off the bench in what is a surprising move from the Liverpool boss.

For Pep Guardiola, it’s a full strength side and he’s even had the luxury of making changes, including dropping Ruben Dias out of the starting XI.

Of course, for Liverpool, with their injuries, Klopp’s decisions were a touch harder to make but Michael Owen has still offered up his reaction to Salah being left out.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Owen believes that the news on Salah is ‘big’ and unexpected, especially to Liverpool fans.

“Salah is on the bench, that’s the big team news. He played 20-odd minutes in the week but a lot of people expected him to start. Liverpool look slightly weakened but Man City look as strong as expected,” Owen said.

Salah will be hoping he isn’t necessarily needed off the bench but will no doubt be ready to go when and if he is required.

Mo Salah out a big blow for Liverpool

There’s no other way of dressing it up. Losing Mo Salah is a massive blow for the Reds and he must simply not be fit enough to start.

In the biggest game of the season, you’d expect Salah to be in the XI from the off if he was ready but it seems he’s not quite got over his problems.

For Salah, it will be disappointing sitting on the bench and seeing the action unfold. However, if the game is tight, then Liverpool do have a player who can come on and win them the game,

Quite whether it even gets to that stage, remains to be seen.