Liverpool star Mohamed Salah (AP)
Mohammed Salah staying for Liverpool is proving to be a masterstroke as the Egyptian has been carrying the Liverpool attack for the season.
Liverpool’s decision to reject an offer, worth around £150 million ($190m), for Mohamed Salah from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad is proving to be absolutely spot on. In his last appearance, the Liverpool winger scored a brace against Brentford to guide his side to a 3-0 win in the Premier League. With his two strikes against Brentford, Salah became just the fourth player to score in each of his club’s opening six home matches in a Premier League season. Moreover, he emerged as the first Liverpool footballer to net in each of the first six home games of a season. His second strike against Brentford marked the 200th goal for Salah while representing an English side.
Mohamed Salah was on the verge of leaving Liverpool this summer in order to ply his trade in the Saudi Pro League. But the 31-year-old’s potential move to Saudi Arabia, eventually, did not materialise.
Following the summer departures of some big names like Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Fabinho, and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool seemed quite adamant about retaining Salah. Many thought it was not a sensible move to keep a 31-year-old in the squad. Some even focused on the financial aspects. Salah was expected to fetch around £150 million and for a 31-year-old, an amount like this is unthinkable. Neither Liverpool was bothered about money nor did they want to entertain transfer requests for Salah and the outcome is now quite clear.
Mohamed Salah has so far registered 10 goals and four assists in 12 Premier League appearances for Liverpool this season. Overall, he has found the back of the net 198 times in 322 games since completing his move to Anfield in 2017.
A January transfer move now seems quite unlikely for Mohamed Salah as he will be on Africa Cup of Nations duty. Moreover, Salah will be determined to play for Champions League glory next season if Liverpool can secure their berth in the premier European club competition this time.
Mohamed Salah now awaits a stern test as Liverpool are all set to visit Manchester City in the domestic league next week. With just one point currently separating the two fierce English rivals, the outcome of this game can very well go on to determine the fate of the Premier League too.