Jurgen Klopp has revealed his surprise at the outcome of the Ballon d’Or, after Mohamed Salah finished only seventh in the voting for club football’s most prestigious individual award.
Lionel Messi was named as the world’s finest footballer for a record-extending seventh time at the awards in Paris, with the Argentina captain finishing ahead of Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho in the voting.
Salah was one of five Premier League players to finish inside the top 10 of the vote, alongside Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (8th), Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo (6th) and Chelsea duo N’Golo Kante (5th) and Jorginho (3rd).
The Egyptian international has been in scintillating form during the opening months of the Premier League campaign with 19 goal involvements from just 13 games, with Klopp admitting his surprise that the 29-year-old did not feature higher.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby with Everton, Klopp believes Salah should have been awarded greater recognition, while also
“Yes, I was (surprised) to be honest,” the Liverpool boss said at his pre-match press conference. “But it is not in my hands.
“Is the Ballon d’Or a journalists vote? Then yeah, don’t ask me, it’s your fault! If you think he should be higher up, then you should convince your colleagues.
“You can give it to Lionel Messi for the career he has had, all these kind of things, but then if you don’t give it to Robert Lewandowski this time [after his incredible year] – it’s difficult to win it at all.
“Mo definitely should have been higher up.”
