After Mohamed Salah's subdued performance in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Benfica on Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp appeared to blame Carlos Queiroz, as well as Aliou Cisse, for the pressure placed on both the Egyptian and Sadio Mane when playing for their national teams.
Click through the gallery above to see images of Klopp's interaction with Salah after taking him off on Tuesday night.
The past few months have been difficult for Salah when it comes to representing Egypt, who lost in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final and failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, both at the hands of Senegal.
His display against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday was perhaps uncharacteristic of a player many currently consider as the best in the world, with Klopp choosing to substitute him in the 61st minute of the encounter.
After replacing him, the German embraced Salah on the sidelines, and explained in a post-match press conference that the Pharaohs talisman, along with Mane, has gone through a "tough period" and that his international manager has played a part in that.
"Completely normal," he said, according to the Liverpool Echo.
"I did nothing different from what I do usually do. If the game is kind of decided, then you are a bit more with the players who come off. When it is more open, you can't speak to each player.
"In that situation, everyone wants to score. With all the stories around him at the moment, it is clear Mo wants to score as well.
"It is a tough period for Mo and Sadio. Both boys came back from Africa and it is not easy – massive pressure on both shoulders, the managers played their part in putting that pressure on.
"Now it is time for it to settle. It was an important game for Mo and Sadio tonight. One could score, one could not. But everything will be fine."
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Salah has scored 28 goals and assisted a further 10 strikes in 38 matches across all competitions so far for the Reds this season.
