Jamie Carragher revealed he was impressed by Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah during the 2-1 victory over Tottenham.
The former Reds player shared that he needed to highlight the 26-year-old’s involvement in his side’s winning goal as he shone bright due to being the only player ready in the box for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Carragher pointed out that Virgil van Dijk’s head had dropped once Trent Alexander-Arnold’s original cross into the box was cleared as the defender thought the game was done.
“There is just one man I want to highlight and that is Mo Salah,” said Carragher on Monday Night Football (Sky Sports Main Event, April 1st, 19:34).
“This is a brilliant header from Harry Kane and just watch the reaction from Virgil van Dijk, he’s number four there, he puts his head up and puts his head down as he thinks it’s done.
“And there’s a group of players Origi, Virgil Van Dijk, Mane and actually Firmino there, for some reason they’re just walking out, I’m not saying they’ve given up but the Tottenham team are moving out and I’ll take it back.
“Alexander-Arnold just as he’s clipping it, how many players in the box for Liverpool? Six players. Only this man is ready for the cross coming in, facing the right way, anticipating…
“But the brilliant thing is Salah has done well to get himself onside to be ready for the ball when it comes in, it’s not the greatest header really…”
OPINION
While Carragher means no offence to Van Dijk or Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Divock Origi for pointing out their poor reaction to Alexander-Arnold’s cross in the box being cleared, it’s an interesting point to make. Salah didn’t end up getting credited with the Reds’ winner against Tottenham as it went down as a Toby Alderweireld goal, but that doesn’t make his contribution in Reds’ getting a late winner any less important. As Carragher pointed out, other players appeared to have given up on the game as they thought Spurs had cleared the danger and there wasn’t much time left to launch another attack. Yet Salah wasn’t ready to throw the towel in. While a lot of praise will go on the 26-year-old for his ability to score goals, one of his greater attributes is his work ethic. The fact the winger never gives up and constantly keeps going through out 90 minutes, sees him be an asset for his team even when he is not scoring.
