Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt has promised to ‘shut down’ Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah when the two teams meet on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will welcome the Eagles to Anfield, with Salah in buoyant mood after scoring the winning goal against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.
However, van Aanholt intends to hand him a quiet afternoon: “Yeah, I always want to play against the best and Salah is one of the best in the league,” he told Sky Sports [0:35].
“It’s my time to shut him down and make sure he doesn’t score or play well.”
OPINION
Those are big words from van Aanholt. He recognises that Salah is one of the toughest tests in the division but is confident in his ability to ‘shut him down’. His choice of wording may come back to bite him if the Egypt international turns on the style on Saturday. It’s dangerous for van Aanholt to come out and say this ahead of a game at Anfield. Liverpool are a different proposition at home, as opposed to Selhurst Park where the Dutchman might have had more of a chance of quietening the Reds talisman. To come out with talk like this ahead of a trip to Anfield is brave indeed. Van Aanholt, to his credit, has improved immensely since moving to Palace. He was always good going forward, but he has worked hard on the defensive aspect of his game under Roy Hodgson. Still, that likely won’t be enough to keep Salah quiet on Saturday.
