Liverpool star Mohamed Salah produced a man-of-the-match performance against Galatasaray at Anfield on Wednesday, but he appeared to pick up an injury before full-time
Mohamed Salah went down injured on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah was seen asking for a substitution just seconds before being taken off during Wednesday’s game at Anfield.
Salah produced a magical display in the second leg of Liverpool’s last-16 Champions League tie against Galatasaray. After missing a penalty during the first half, the Egyptian reacted by setting up Hugo Ekitike’s goal and scoring a screamer from the edge of the box.
Salah’s goal made it 4-0 to Liverpool on the night, overturning the team’s one-goal deficit from the first leg in Istanbul last week. Despite the veteran’s brilliant display, Arne Slot is now left sweating on his fitness after he was forced out of the game.
The 33-year-old was substituted in the 74th minute, making way for Cody Gakpo. But before leaving the action, Salah was spotted asking for a substitution by making a gesture with his hands. Slot is expected to give an update on the player’s condition at full-time.
Despite failing to finish Wednesday’s game, it was still an occasion to remember for Salah. The 2019 Champions League winner became the first African to reach 50 goals in the competition after finding the net with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
“Brilliant, sensational from Mo Salah,” said former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Live after the goal. “You can run out of superlatives for him at times. He really has been at his best. That was a special finish from Mo Salah.”
After Salah was brought off, Robinson added: “Mo Salah has been excellent. In the second half, he was back to his very best. The assist for the goal was sensational, and his goal was as good as you will see from him.”
Salah’s second-half performance came after his missed penalty at Anfield. At the time of his miss, the tie was level on aggregate, with Liverpool still searching for a winner.
“The penalty was poor,” Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard told TNT Sports. “He doesn’t get the execution right. He tries to go down the middle, but he’s actually pulled it a bit to the right, which allows the keeper to save it. It’s a disappointing penalty.”
Robinson added: “That is half a Panenka. He tried to do that side-foot into the goal, but Mo Salah gets the execution wrong. It is a poor penalty.”
More to follow…
