- Kevin Strootman is wary about facing his former team-mate Mohamed Salah
- The Egyptian will go up against Roma in the Champions League semi-finals
- Strootman believes a new-found confidence has made Salah so prolific
- The Dutchman admits his side have formulated a plan to deal with the forward
Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman has admitted he is wary about facing his former team-mate Mohamed Salah, given how prolific the Egyptian has become this season.
Salah has surpassed all expectations on Merseyside and is toppling different records as the weeks pass by.
Liverpool have rocketed to the latter stages of the Champions League as a result, where Salah will now be tasked with breaking the hearts of his former employers if the Reds are to reach another European final.
Kevin Strootman admits Roma are wary of facing Mohamed Salah again, but have a plan
Strootman was a team-mate of Salah at Roma and recognised the talent of the forward
Speaking recently as the crunch tie looms, Strootman has outlined his reservations about coming face to face with Salah once more.
‘Now he has so much confidence and he just creates the chances himself and finds it easy in front of the goal,’ the Dutchman told the Independent.
‘I think it is confidence which is the main difference. It did a lot when he played here but now you see if he has a chance and he misses it, the next time he knows he will score.’
Strootman has openly admitted Roma have prepared specifically to nullify the threat of Salah across two legs, but is keeping his cards close to his chest with regards specific tactics.
Salah’s incredible season has fired Liverpool to the latter stages of the Champions League
Salah picked up the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday, following another Liverpool goal
‘We have special tactics [for Salah] but I’m not going the share it! Italian defence, that is what I’m hoping for,’ he added.
Salah picked up the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday evening, capping a magnificent season by beating the likes of Kevin De Bruyne to the accolade.
The 25-year-old has earned almost god-like status in his home country of Egypt as a result, something Strootman says everybody has acknowledged.
‘He is doing amazing also with the national team, he did a great job, I think he is the king there now and they want to vote him for president and everything.
‘I just hope in the two games against us he loses his confidence.’
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